It’s a quick-and-easy pasta recipe that can easily be served as a meal. For a heartier dish, top with a diced oven baked chicken breast and a side of garlic bread.
What is Orecchiette?
Orecchiette is pasta in the size and shape of tiny saucers and translates to “small ears”. The indented shape cups and holds sauces and anything it is cooked with, making it ideal for combining with other ingredients. As you cook orecchiette, the starches also slightly thicken and meld with the sauce it’s in to produce a wonderful creaminess.
Prepping Brussels Sprouts
For this recipe, the brussels sprouts are thinly sliced and cooked in a creamy sauce. I use a knife to cut them but you can also use a mandolin. Some grocery stores sell shaved/sliced brussels for brussel sprout salad or slaw. Those will work great in this recipe.
How to Make Orecchiette and Brussel Sprouts
This dish comes together in no time flat, it really as easy as 1, 2, 3! Crumble bacon on top and serve hot. With all of the fresh brussel sprouts mixed right into the pasta this dish is best served with a slice of garlic bread or cheesy breadstick!
Other Delicious Additions
Vegetables: Lots of other vegetables can be used instead of, or in addition to the brussel sprouts. Try shredded broccoli florets (or broccoli slaw), or broccoli rabe. Sundried tomatoes provide it some welcome tartness and texture. Chopped zucchini or yellow squash are other terrific options. Cheese: Bump up the flavors with grated cheese such as parmesan, romano and asiago. Meat: Turn orecchiette with brussels sprouts into a one-pot meal by adding meat. It’s a terrific way to use up and stretch any poultry or meat left over from last night’s dinner. Diced chicken, ham or Italian sausage are excellent choices.
The Best Sides for Orecchiette
Serve orecchiette with brussels sprouts with cheesy pull apart garlic rolls or 30 minute rolls. A zesty tossed cucumber tomato salad or a simple tossed salad with balsamic vinaigrette can also complete the meal. Delicious and easy orecchiette with brussel sprouts is a filling and flavor packed dish that’s sure to satisfy your family.
More Creamy Pastas
Creamy Chicken Fajita Pasta – great to freeze! Garlic Shrimp Pasta – light yet hearty meal! One Pot Pasta with Chicken – flavorful one-pot meal Cajun Chicken Pasta – ready in under 30 mins
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