Cooking dinner after work or school can feel hard, especially when you want something fast, nice, and not many dishes to wash. This orecchiette pasta recipe solves that problem. It uses only one large pan so you cook pasta, sauce, and meat all together. You save time in cooking and in cleaning up.
Orecchiette are small bowl shaped pasta. They capture sauce, small meat pieces, vegetables and flavour in each bite. In this recipe spicy Italian sausage adds a strong flavour, onions add sweetness, and broth helps pasta cook right. With just a few ingredients and one pan you can get a hearty meal that tastes like restaurant food but is simple to make at home.
This dish works well in USA and UK kitchens. Most grocery stores have Italian sausages or a good substitute. Pasta is easy to find. Arugula (or rocket) adds green and fresh taste. Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano) gives rich, cheesy flavour on top. It is great for two people or can be increased for more.
Ingredients
Here is what you need for two servings. If you want more, you can double the amounts.
- Two tablespoons olive oil
- Half an onion, diced small
- Salt to taste
- Eight ounces spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
- Three and a half cups low-sodium chicken broth (you may need a bit more)
- One and a quarter cups orecchiette pasta
- Half cup roughly chopped arugula (or rocket)
- Quarter cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
How to Make One-Pan Orecchiette Pasta
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook and stir until the onion becomes soft and slightly see-through, about five minutes.
- Add the sausage (remove casing first) to the onion. Cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned. This should take about five to seven minutes.
- Pour about one and a half cups of chicken broth into the pan. Bring it to a boil. While boiling scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. These bits give flavour.
- Add the orecchiette pasta. Stir so pasta is covered by broth. Let it cook, stirring occasionally. When the liquid is mostly absorbed, add more broth as needed. Continue until pasta is cooked through (ten‐fifteen minutes).
- When pasta is done, stir in the chopped arugula. The green leaves will wilt (become soft) quickly.
- Serve into bowls. Top each bowl with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Nutrition Information
Per serving (two servings in total recipe)
- Calories ~ 662 kcal
- Protein ~ 31 grams
- Fat ~ 39 grams
- Carbohydrates ~ 46 grams
Tips & Variations
- If spicy Italian sausage is hard to find you can use mild sausage or even chicken or turkey sausage. Add extra spices if needed.
- Orecchiette pasta can be replaced by other small pastas if needed (for example small shells or penne cut shorter).
- Use low-sodium broth so the dish does not get too salty. You can always add more salt later if needed.
- Arugula gives a peppery fresh taste but if you do not like its flavour you can use spinach or baby kale.
- If you like cheesy flavour strong, add more parmesan or even sprinkle a bit more when serving.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with a side salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato) lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Use crusty bread or garlic bread to soak up the sauce.
- A glass of red wine or sparkling water goes well with this pasta for dinner.
FAQs
Can I make this vegetarian
Yes. Skip the sausage. You can add mushrooms, roasted vegetables, or plant-based sausage if you like.
Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth
Yes that works fine. Vegetable broth gives good flavour too.
How do I know when pasta is cooked
Taste a piece. It should be soft but still slightly firm (al dente) not mushy.
Will the pasta stick to the pan
Stir often, especially when adding pasta. Use enough broth to keep pasta moving.
Can I cook this ahead and reheat
Yes you can cook ahead. Reheat slowly, add a little extra broth or water so it does not dry out.
Is this dish good for leftovers
Yes. It stores well in fridge for one to two days. Reheat in microwave or on stove with extra liquid to loosen it.
