Italian Cavatelli and Broccoli Rabe Recipe

This quick and easy recipe for cavatelli and broccoli rabe is ready in less than 30 minutes. This classic Italian pasta dish is pure comfort food.

Serve cavatelli con rapini as a standalone or part of a larger meal. It pairs well with focaccia or garlic bread and a simple Italian salad. Use it to complement pan-seared rack of lamb, chicken spiedini, or veal scaloppini as a side dish. 

The same question comes to mind every time I make and eat this dish… how could something so simple taste so amazing?

Is it because of the garlic-scented olive oil?

Is it the subtle pungency of the sauteed broccoli rabe?

Perhaps the unique texture of the homemade cavatelli?

This is not my first time combining pasta with this green vegetable. In this orecchiette recipe, the addition of sausage along with broccoli rabe and pasta creates a hearty pasta dish. This broccoli rabe pasta recipe is simple and delicious for a meatless version.

The recipe I am sharing with you today is a classic Italian dish that combines the flavors of cavatelli pasta and broccoli rabe harmoniously and satisfyingly.

It’s a recipe deeply rooted in my Italian upbringing, shaped by the background of my parents, who immigrated from Italy.

Simply sauté broccoli rabe, garlic, and chili flakes, while boiling cavatelli in another pot. In less than 5 minutes, toss it all together with a little pasta water, Pecorino Romano cheese, and voilà – a delicious dish that’s easy and quick to make in the comfort of your kitchen.

Whether you’re a fan of Italian cuisine or just looking to expand your culinary horizons, this dish will impress.

It all starts with a little prep work.

Jump to:

• Let’s prep our main ingredients
• Broccoli Rabe
• Step-by-step instructions
• Tips
• Alternative options for Broccoli Rabe
• Cavatelli pasta recipes
• Recipe origins
• Recipe

Let’s prep our main ingredients

Cavatelli

Prepping this recipe can save you time and effort when you’re ready to enjoy a delicious meal. 

One option is to make the cavatelli ahead of time and freeze it for later use. Once you’ve made the pasta dough and formed it into small dumplings, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until firm. Then transfer the frozen cavatelli to a resealable bag or container and store it in the freezer for up to a month. 

If you’re short on time or prefer the convenience of store-bought pasta, you can easily adapt this recipe using pre-made cavatelli or other small pasta varieties. However, making homemade cavatelli can be a fun and rewarding experience if you’re up for a culinary adventure.

For a step-by-step guide on how to make homemade cavatelli from scratch, check out my comprehensive blog post on homemade cavatelli. 

If you prefer, you can also make whole wheat cavatelli.

Broccoli Rabe

Another step you can take in advance is preparing the broccoli rabe.

• Start by trimming tough stems and leaves, taking off anywhere from 1-2 inches.
• Then wash it well under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
• Next, boil a large pot of water and add a heaping tablespoon of kosher salt. Carefully add the broccoli rabe to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes until it turns bright green and slightly tender. 
• Transfer the blanched broccoli rabe to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and cool it down rapidly.

Once cooled, drain the broccoli rabe and pat it dry before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.

With the prep work of washing, trimming, and blanching done in advance, you can easily combine the flavors of garlic-infused olive oil, tender broccoli rabe, and pasta for a delightful and satisfying meal.

Step-by-step instructions

Let me show you how easily this recipe comes together. 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once the water boils, carefully add the cavatelli to the pot and stir. Cook until al dente. For more tips on how to cook any pasta, refer to this article on How to Cook Pasta. 

While waiting for the water to boil, heat ⅓ cup of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Sauté 5-6 smashed garlic cloves for 1 to 2 minutes or until fragrant. Be mindful not to burn the garlic. (Please note my homegrown garlic cloves are huge, so I only used two.)

Add the chili flakes (to taste) and the roughly chopped-up broccoli rabe to the pan and sauté for a few minutes.

It is now time to combine these two wonderful ingredients.

Reserve about ¼-½ cup of pasta water before draining the cavatelli.

Toss with the broccoli rabe, adding some reserved pasta water if the dish looks dry. 

Turn off the heat. Add ¼ cup freshly grated Romano cheese (or to taste) and toss to combine.

Transfer pasta into a serving bowl. Garnish with a sprinkle of grated Romano cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, or a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavor and enjoy!

Tips

• It’s always a good idea to taste the pasta for doneness. Look for an al dente texture, where the pasta is cooked but firm to the bite.
• If you’re using store-bought pasta, follow the cooking instructions on the package for the best results.
• Use freshly grated cheese; it does make a big taste difference.
• Tossing the pasta water with the Romano cheese in the skillet creates a silky sauce. 
• Add Italian sausage or cannellini beans to the dish for a more substantial meal.

Alternative options for Broccoli Rabe

If you can’t find broccoli rabe at your local grocery store, don’t worry! You can use several substitutes to achieve a similar flavor profile in your cavatelli dish.

Mustard or collard greens can be excellent replacements, as they also offer a slightly bitter taste that complements the pasta well. Kale is another fantastic option, with its sturdy leaves and robust flavor.

Consider broccolini, Swiss chard, broccoli, or spinach as alternatives if you prefer a milder taste or don’t enjoy the distinctive bitterness of broccoli rabe.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different greens to customize this cavatelli recipe to your liking!

Cavatelli pasta recipes

After a long day at work, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of cavatelli pasta. And if that pasta dish is ready in less than 30 minutes, it is even better!

Whether you’re in the mood for a classic and comforting recipe like this cavatelli and broccoli recipe or something more adventurous like this avocado pesto cavatelli, these pasta dishes are the perfect choice when time is of the essence.

Recipe origins

This pasta dish is a simple and delicious recipe with just a few basic ingredients. This is the essence of so many of the dishes that I grew up with. I have previously mentioned that my paternal family was originally from Ripabottoni, in the province of Campobasso, in the Italian region of Molise.

Traditionally, this area was known for sheep and agricultural farming (done on small plots of land). The ingredients used in so many regional Italian recipes are the direct result of the surrounding environment and economics of the area.

My dad’s family were farmers in this area for centuries. The influence can be seen in the simplicity of many dishes. My dad would love to tell us stories of his childhood. Somehow, they would often revolve around him losing sheep and big bowls of cavatelli.

Since my dad’s passing, Father’s Day has always been a special occasion to honor my dad’s memory and celebrate his life.

My mom always made cavatelli on Father’s Day as this was one of my dad’s favorite dishes. Sometimes, it was this recipe for cavatelli with ricotta and tomato sauce; other times, she would make this simple dish of cavatelli e rapini.

I carry on this tradition as we celebrate Father’s Day every year. I continue to make the same recipe for cavatelli and rapini that my dad cherished. Our hearts will be filled with fond memories as we share the life stories he proudly shared with us and the legacy he left behind.

To all the wonderful dads out there, Happy Father’s Day!

And to my dear dad, this post is dedicated to your loving memory ♥

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

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Ciao for now,

Maria

★★★★★ If you have made this cavatelli and broccoli rabe recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

This post was originally published on June 17, 2017, and republished on April 23, 2023, with updated content, photos and a video. Thanks for sharing!