Toasted bread slices topped with cooked greens and crumbled sausage.

Broccoli Rabe Crostino

Bold, savory, and comforting, these broccoli rabe and sausage crostino are the kind of appetizer you can lean on year-round. Bitter greens, rich sausage, and melty provolone come together on crisp toasted bread for a bite that’s simple to assemble yet always crowd-pleasing. They work just as well for a casual gathering as they do for a celebratory spread, and they disappear fast every time. Keep this one in your back pocket, it’s an easy win for any occasion.

Illustration of the pasta queen golden crown with five rounded points and a row of circular decorations at the base.

Crostini with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Serves 2 to 4

Print Pin

Ingredients

Imperial or Metric

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, skin-on, lightly smashed
1 fresh chili pepper, I like cayenne or Calabrian chili, thinly sliced
1 pound broccoli rabe, tough stems trimmed
Sea salt
2 links spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
1 loaf Italian bread halved lengthwise and then crosswise
4 to 5 slices provolone cheese

Method

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering Add the garlic and chili and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the broccoli rabe and a pinch of salt and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add about 1/2 cup water, cover, and steam until the stalks are tender, the leaves have wilted, and most of the water has cooked off, 2 to 3 minutes.
Move the broccoli rabe over to one side of the pan and add the sausage meat to the empty side. Cook, stirring to break the sausage up into crumbles, until the sausage is browned and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Fish out and discard the garlic when ready to serve.
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the bread cut-side down and pan-grill until golden brown and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the bread over and add a layer of provolone. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted.
Serve each toast topped with a generous portion of broccoli rabe and sausage.