Pasta with Broccoli Rabe & Spicy Sausage Bread Crumbs

I've been seeing so many great recipes online coming from Alison Roman's new cookbook Nothing Fancy {I previously tried one of her awesome recipes here} and since Mom & Dad got it for me for Christmas I decided this was the perfect weekend to try a new recipe {I mean, what else were we going to do?}.  I picked her Pot of Pasta with Broccoli Rabe and Chorizo Bread Crumbs {subbing spicy Italian sausage for the chorizo} because I love pasta and it looked super simple to make.  It really did come together super quickly and the dinner {and leftovers the next day} were exactly the kind of comfort food I'm craving during this crazy time.  When in doubt, a bowl of pasta will always make me feel better :)

Pot of Pasta with Broccoli Rabe & Chorizo Bread Crumbs

Ingredients
1 lb chorizo or hot Italian sausage {or if you don't like spicy, just use sweet sausage!}
6 Tblsp olive oil, divided
1 1/2 cup bread crumbs {this seemed like a lot - could have easily just done 1 cup}
Salt & Pepper
1 lb dried tube shaped pasta {we used penne}
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1- 4 or 6oz can tomato paste {about 1/4 cup}
1 large bunch broccoli rabe, coarsely chopped {or if you don't have fresh, you could use frozen broccoli florets}
Parmesan, for serving

Instructions
1. Cook sausage in large pot over medium high heat, breaking up the meat with spoon until browned, about 8 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, remove the sausage, leaving the fat behind.
2. Add 3 Tblsp oil and bread crumbs to the pot.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook, stirring frequently, until bread crumbs are golden brown, 2-3 minutes.  Transfer to a bowl.
3. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente.  Drain, reserving at least 1 cup of the pasta water.
4. Meanwhile, heat remaining 3 Tblsp oil in the pot, then add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until it's toasted and golden brown, 2-3 minutes.  Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until it's a nice brick-red color and starts to stick a bit to the bottom of the pot, 2-3 minutes more.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the broccoli rabe and season with salt and pepper.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until it's all wilted and bright green, 3-5 minutes.
6. Add the pasta and sausage back to the pot along with about 1/2 cup pasta water.  Cook, stirring constantly, until each piece of pasta is coated nicely in the tomato-y, sausage-y sauce {add more water if needed}.
7. Serve from the pot, topping each bowl with toasted bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.

Serves 6

adapted from nothing fancy

xoxo,
stephanie marie