Italian · intermediate
Pugliese Beef And Broccolini Orecchiette
Ear-shaped pasta tossed with savory seasoned ground beef, crisp broccolini, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- PREP TIME
- 15 min
- COOK TIME
- 20 min
- SERVES
- 4
Good things
start in the kitchen.
LET’S MAKE IT
Step by step
- 01
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook until 3 minutes short of package instructions.
- 02
Add the chopped broccolini to the boiling pasta water for the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta cooking liquid.
- 03
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and sea salt, breaking it into small crumbles until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer beef to a plate.
- 04
Add remaining olive oil, sliced garlic, and red pepper flakes to the skillet over low heat. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until aromatic and pale golden.
- 05
Pour in the beef broth and reserved pasta water, then bring to a simmer. Stir in the drained pasta, broccolini, and browned beef.
- 06
Cook together for 2 minutes over medium heat until the liquid reduces slightly and coats the pasta. Remove from heat and stir in the grated parmesan before serving.
A LITTLE KITCHEN KNOW-HOW
Pan Finish
Tossing warm pasta directly in sauce with starchy cooking liquid to create a silky coating.
Notes from the kitchen
- Broccolini stems cook at the same rate as the flowerettes when cut uniformly.
- Using pasta starch water creates a cohesive coating rather than an oily dish.
- Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by Italian; regional versions vary.
- Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.
