Skillet Nancy Orecchiette

"Little Ears" is what Orecchiette means in Italian, or so at least I'm told that's what it means. I honestly love how the Italians name their pasta shapes. One Pot Meals are some of my favorite and I've done many versions of this kind of dish in the past. This is just another way. I hope you give it a try.

Ingredients:

2 T. Olive Oil
3 cups Orecchiette (or any other small cut pasta shape you like)

4 1/2 cups chicken stock or water or white wine (I use 3/4 cup wine and the rest stock)
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 to 1 cup cream
1 T. butter
1 cup grated fresh Pecorino Romano cheese
1 small bunch Broccolini, roughly chopped
1 lb. fresh chicken sausage, removed from the casing or whatever sausage you like
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Sauté onion, sausages, red pepper flakes and garlic in oil until the sausages are fully cooked and the onion is beginning to turn golden. If using white wine, add this now and allow it to cook with the lid off until it reduces by half. Next, stir in the chicken stock or water and pasta. Cover and allow to come to a simmer. Reduce the heat to a strong simmer and allow to cook covered for 15 minutes. Now, add the rough chopped broccolini and allow to cook another 4 to 5 minutes. Uncover and stir in the butter, cream and cheese. Stir the dish until everything is beginning to simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt and pepper as desired.

This dish would be great with other vegetables such as peas, spinach, swiss chard or etc. From start to finish it takes about 30 minutes to prepare. I hope you try it soon and love it as much as we do!

Quick and easy one pot meal!