Dairy-Free Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette

Ingredients

• 1 lb Orecchiette pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 bunch Broccoli rabe
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 cup Vegetable broth
• 4 oz Dairy-free cream cheese
• 2 tbsp Nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the 1 lb Orecchiette pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Before draining, carefully reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water in a heatproof bowl or measuring cup. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. 2While the pasta is cooking, remove the Italian sausage from its casings. Place the 1 lb Italian sausage in a 12-inch skillet. Cook over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C), breaking it up with a spoon, for 8-10 minutes, until it is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.
3. 3Add the 2 tablespoons of Olive oil to the skillet with the browned sausage. Add the 1 bunch Broccoli rabe (cut into 1-inch pieces), the 4 cloves Garlic cloves (minced), and the 1/2 teaspoon Red pepper flakes. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli rabe is tender-crisp and bright green. The garlic should be fragrant.
4. 4Pour the 1/2 cup Vegetable broth into the skillet. Add the 4 oz Dairy-free cream cheese. Stir continuously over medium heat (325°F / 160°C) until the dairy-free cream cheese has completely melted and combined with the broth to form a smooth, creamy sauce. Stir in the 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast until well combined.
5. 5Add the drained 1 lb Orecchiette pasta to the skillet with the sauce and sausage mixture. Toss everything together gently to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the reserved 1 cup pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until your desired consistency is reached.
6. 6Season the dish with the 1/2 teaspoon Salt and 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper. Stir well to distribute the seasonings evenly. Serve the Dairy-Free Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette immediately.

Substitutions

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