Thanks to this roundup, you can enjoy a recipe with rapini every night of the week. Broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that you should definitely add to your regular rotation. You can enjoy it boiled, steamed, or even grilled! And while it can be quite bitter, it’s super tasty and nutritious when cooked right. So, from simple stir-fries to hearty mains, I’ve collected the best broccoli rabe recipes out there. Let’s get cooking!
Sautéed Broccoli Rabe Recipe and More!
1. Sautéed Broccoli Rabe
This sautéed broccoli rabe recipe is so easy and so delicious that you’ll be making it on repeat all season long! And it’s healthy, too – bonus! As mentioned, broccoli rabe has a slightly bitter flavor. But that’s offset by the garlic and olive oil in this recipe. You also have red pepper flakes for an extra spicy punch, though they’re optional. This dish is best served as a side, but it would also be delicious over some cooked grains or a hearty pasta dish.
2. Italian-Style Garlicky Broccoli Rabe
This recipe is the perfect side dish for any Italian meal. It’s easy to make and only requires a few ingredients, but it’s jam-packed with flavor. The key to this recipe is to get the garlic nice and caramelized. This gives the broccoli rabe a deep, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the other Italian flavors. I like to serve this recipe with a crusty loaf of bread so that I can soak up all of the delicious garlicky sauce. Yum!
3. Broccoli Rabe with Caramelized Onions
This delicious, healthy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. The combination of bitter greens and sweet onions is a classic flavor pairing that will delight your taste buds. Plus, this dish is packed with nutrients, so you can feel good about eating as much as you want. Once the onions are golden brown and caramelized, you’ll sauté the broccoli rabe in a bit of olive oil until it is wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve it hot.
4. Roasted Broccoli Rabe
Rapini is often overlooked in favor of its cousins – broccoli and cabbage. However, this recipe will show you that rabe is a veggie worth paying attention to. Roasting broccoli rabe brings out its natural sweetness, while the addition of garlic and red pepper flakes give it a little kick. So next time you’re at the grocery store, make sure to pick up some rabe and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed. I love this on the side of a thick, juicy steak dinner.
5. Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Italian Sausage Broccoli Rabe Onions and Peppers
This simple meal is full of flavor and can be on your table in under 30 minutes. Simply add all the ingredients to a baking sheet and let the oven do the work. How easy is that? Sheet pan meals are my favorite because they’re effortless to prep, and cleanup is a breeze. The gnocchi is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the sausage and veggies are a perfect complement.
6. Aglio e Olio Gnocchi with Broccoli Rabe & Pumpkin
If you’re in the mood for some truly delicious Italian food, then this recipe is definitely for you! Packed with incredible flavor, the gnocchi are so perfectly cooked that they just melt in your mouth. The broccoli rabe and pumpkin add a wonderful touch of bitterness and sweetness to the dish. And the whole thing is brought together by a wonderfully rich and creamy sauce. I’m drooling already!
7. Broccoli Rabe Pasta
This pasta is the ideal dish for when you’re in the mood for something healthy but still want to indulge in comfort food. Broccoli rabe is packed with nutrients, and the pasta provides a filling source of carbohydrates. The dish is also relatively easy to make and can be on the table in under an hour. Give this dish a try asap because I know you’ll absolutely love it!
8. Broccoli Rabe with Pasta and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This is a fantastic broccoli rabe recipe for busy weeknights. It’s packed with flavor, but also it’s super healthy! Rapini is a nutrient-rich leafy green vegetable that’s loaded with vitamins A, C, and K. And its slightly bitter taste pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes. I also love the contrast in textures between the two. The pasta brings in much needed carbs for energy, while the Parmesan cheese adds a delicious depth of flavor. You can’t go wrong with this dish.
9. Broccoli Rabe Pasta with Smoky Chickpeas
This recipe is genuinely effortless in every way possible. It’s easy to make, healthy, and brimming with flavor. The pasta is tossed with a tasty blend of broccoli rabe, lemon juice, spices, and smoky chickpeas. And if you’ve never had chickpeas with pasta before, get ready to fall in love. They’re ideal for a bit of texture, and you can’t beat that hit of protein either!
10. Broccoli Rabe Frittata With Pesto Ricotta
This recipe will show your family and friends once and for all that you’re a gourmet cook! It’s a light, fluffy egg dish with a flavorful pesto ricotta topping. It’s so good, even the pickiest eaters will ask for seconds! And it’s easy to make, too. Just whisk the eggs, add the broccoli rabe, pesto, and ricotta, and bake.
11. Lemony Broccoli Rabe with White Beans
This recipe is ideal for those looking to add more greens to their diet. With just a few simple ingredients, it comes together quickly and easily. The savory flavors of the beans and broccoli rabe are offset by the zesty lemon, making one healthy and delicious dinner. The final result is a tasty and nutritious meal that will leave you feeling satisfied.
12. Broccoli Rabe Pesto
This broccoli rabe pesto recipe is a fantastic way to add extra flavor to the average pasta dish. The key to this recipe is to blanch the broccoli rabe first to eliminate the bitter taste. Pesto can also turn bitter if you don’t add enough lemon juice. And since rabe is a little bitter already, blanching makes all the difference. Just put all the ingredients in a blender, mix for a couple of minutes, and enjoy. Use it for pasta, as a spread, or anything your heart desires!
13. Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Broccoli Rabe and Garlic Sage Butter Sauce
This dish is not only packed with flavor, but it’s also overflowing with nutrients. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A, while broccoli rabe is full of healthy vitamins. The garlic sage butter sauce ties everything together perfectly. Trust me, this recipe is so good, it should be illegal.
14. Broccoli Rabe and Black Bean Quesadillas
When it comes to quesadilla recipes, broccoli rabe isn’t the first ingredient to come to mind. But after one bite of this, I was hooked! This delicious recipe features a creamy black bean filling spiced with cumin and chili powder. That’s all wrapped up in a crispy tortilla. The rabe provides a slight bitterness and crunch, while the black beans add a creamy, hearty texture. The best part? This quesadilla is brimming with antioxidants and vitamins. So go ahead and have two! Your body will thank you for it.
15. Broccoli Rabe Burrata Pizza
I love experimenting with flatbread recipes, and this one is my new fave. It’s the perfect recipe for when you’re craving something cheesy and greasy but also want to pretend you’re being healthy. The combo of ooey-gooey mozzarella and rich burrata is offset by the slightly bitter taste of rabe. And the whole thing is held together by a thin crispy crust. It’s like your favorite slice of pizza got a makeover from Rachel Zoe. Drizzle it with hot sauce and get ready to devour it in minutes.
16. Massaged Broccoli Rabe Salad with Sunflower Seeds & Cranberries
This recipe is the perfect potluck or BBQ side dish! But why is it called “massaged broccoli?” Sounds weird, right? Well, just like kale, massaging the broccoli rabe breaks down its bitterness. Pretty cool, huh? There’s also plenty of fun crunch and chewy goodness from the sunflower seeds and cranberries, along with just a little sweetness. This salad even works as a main if you add some grilled chicken or shrimp!
17. Winter Squash Carbonara with Broccoli Rabe and Sage
Winter squash, broccoli rabe, and sage come together in this delicious and easy carbonara recipe. It may not be traditional, but it’s rich and creamy, with just the right amount of sweetness from the squash. The broccoli rabe and sage add a nice touch of bitter earthiness, while the Parmesan cheese adds a nice sharpness. I think it’s incredible! Click on a star to rate it!
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