Easy Pasta with Rapini Recipe: Rapini Pasta is an easy, classic Italian-inspired dish that is bursting with bright, bold flavors. Slightly bitter-sweet rapini mixed with tender pasta, creamy beans, and salty anchovies and parmesan for one hearty and quick meal that comes together in close to 30 minutes!
- 3/4 teaspoons salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1 large bunch of broccoli rabe (aka rapini), cut into 1 1/2 -inch lengths (10 to 12 ounces)
- 10 ounces orecchiette pasta (3 cups dry) or penne pasta (about 4 cups dry)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 4 anchovies, finely chopped (optional- see note if omitting)
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano, for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile set up an “ice bath” by filling a large mixing bowl with water and ice.
- Add broccoli rabe to the boiling water and let cook for 2 minutes. Scoop the broccoli rabe into the ice bath with a sieve or slotted spoon.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid, and then drain the pasta into a colander.
- Once the broccoli rabe is cold, scoop the ice from the surface of the ice bath and then drain well through a sieve. Transfer the blanched broccoli rabe to a towel-lined plate to dry.
- About 5 minutes before the pasta is done, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in garlic, anchovies (if using), and pepper flakes. Cook, stirring until the garlic is just starting to brown, 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Immediately add the cannellini beans and the blanched broccoli rabe, ¾ teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring often until the broccoli rabe is heated through and tender, 2 to 4 minutes.
- Add the hot drained pasta and stir to combine. Add in a little pasta cooking liquid if the mixture seems dry. Season with black pepper.
- Top with Pecorino or Parmesan before serving.