Sausage Broccoli Pasta: An Easy Family Favorite Ready In 30 Minutes

This sausage broccoli pasta is a quick, easy weeknight meal perfect for busy families. You can make a delicious and satisfying dinner in 30 minutes with just a few simple ingredients. Don’t overcook the broccoli! You want it to be crisp-tender, not mushy.

I love pasta dinner recipes because they are quick, easy, and a great way to have a balanced meal – carbs, protein, and veggies. Done.

Sausage Broccoli Pasta

This simple, satisfying sausage and broccoli pasta comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy weeknight meal. Makes 6 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound orecchiette pasta
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 pound Italian mild or hot sausage casings removed
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic about 3 cloves
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 cups chopped broccoli about two crowns broccoli
  • ¾ cup chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
  • ¾ cup shredded Parmesan

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta. In a large pot, bring 4-6 quarts of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta and return it to the pan off the heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons butter.
    cooked pasta in pot.
  • Cook sausage. While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage in 2 tablespoons oil, breaking the sausage apart with a wooden spoon or spatula until crumbled and browned, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and oregano, stirring garlic and cooking for an additional minute.
    sausage chunks cooking in pan.
  • Add broccoli and cream. Add broccoli, chicken broth, the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, salt, and pepper to the sausage mixture. Cook, occasionally stirring, until broccoli is crisp-tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add the cream and warm for an additional minute or two.
    broccoli added to sausage in pan.
  • Combine with pasta and add cheese. Transfer the broccoli sausage mixture to the large pot with the pasta and stir, adding ½ cup shredded Parmesan. Taste for seasoning and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
    pasta combined with broccoli and sausage with cheese on top in pan.
  • Serve. Serve immediately, using the extra ¼ cup Parmesan to garnish each plate with additional Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • I prefer orecchiette pasta for this dish, but other pasta can be used. The little crevices in the pasta catch the little sausage pieces and sauce, giving the pasta great flavor.
  • I add just ¼ cup of cream to enhance the flavor and slightly thicken the sauce at the end. If you want a thicker, creamier sauce for this dish, you can add additional cream and cheese.
  • I prefer to use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best quality and flavor
Calories: 760kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 1108mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 639IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 213mg | Iron: 2mg

This recipe is my new go-to for busy weeknights. It’s so easy to throw together, and everyone in my family loves it. Even my kids will eat the broccoli in it, which makes me happy.

overhead shot of pasta with sausage and broccoli in pan with cheese sprinkled on top.

It also makes amazing leftovers for lunch the next day. Honestly, I could eat this once a week and never get tired of it!

Pasta Tips

  • Don’t walk away from the sausage. Sausage can go from browned to burnt pretty quickly, so keep a close eye on it while it’s cooking and break it up into nice small pieces.
  • Creamy Consistency. If you want a creamier sauce, add a splash of the starchy pasta cooking water along with the cream. This helps to thicken the sauce and bind it to the pasta.
  • Don’t have orecchiette? No problem! Penne, rotini, or even farfalle work great too.
  • Get creative with the veggies. Broccoli is classic, but feel free to add other vegetables you have on hand. Spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers would all be delicious additions.

Key Ingredients and Tools

To make this sausage broccoli pasta, here are a few key ingredients:

overhead shot of ingredients measured out on counter.
  • Orecchiette Pasta. This type of pasta is shaped like little ears, and those “ears” are perfect for scooping up bits of sausage and sauce. You can usually find it in the dried pasta aisle alongside other shapes like penne and rotini. Farfalle (bow-tie pasta) is a good substitute if you can’t find orecchiette.
  • Italian Sausage. I like to use mild Italian sausage, but you can use hot for a spicier dish. You’ll find it in the refrigerated meat section, often near the breakfast sausage.
  • Fresh Garlic. Freshly minced garlic adds so much flavor to this dish! I don’t recommend using the pre-minced garlic in a jar, as it often has a harsher flavor.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream. Just a little bit of cream adds richness and helps to create a luscious sauce. You’ll find it in the refrigerated dairy section. If you need to avoid dairy, you can substitute it with full-fat coconut milk or even extra chicken broth.
  • Parmesan Cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is best! It really does make a difference in taste. Look for a wedge of Parmesan in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store. It’s also an important ingredient in my crockpot cheesy chicken broccoli and rice recipe – another great weeknight meal.

These ingredients will help you create a delicious and flavorful meal that your family will love!

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a simple green salad, garlic bread, and a glass of chilled white wine.

This dish is hearty, so serve it with a lighter dessert, like lemon sugar cookies.

Troubleshooting and Help

Can I use a different kind of sausage?

Absolutely! I like mild Italian sausage, but you can use hot Italian sausage if you like things spicy. You could even experiment with other sausages, like chicken sausage or chorizo. Just make sure to remove the sausage from its casing before cooking it. You can also use pork sausage and make my sausage and zucchini skillet recipe.

I don’t have any chicken broth. What can I use instead?

No problem! You can easily use the starchy water that you cooked the pasta in. Just scoop out about ¾ cup before you drain the pasta. It adds a nice flavor and helps to thicken the sauce.

My family isn’t crazy about broccoli. Can I use other vegetables?

Of course! Cauliflower would be a great substitute for broccoli. You could also try kale, spinach, or even some sliced mushrooms. Just keep in mind that different vegetables might have slightly different cooking times.

What if I don’t have orecchiette pasta?

Don’t worry, you can use other shapes! Penne, rotini, or even farfalle would work well in this recipe. Orecchiette is nice because the little “cups” hold the sausage and sauce, but any medium-sized pasta will do the trick.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m always happy to help in any way I can.

Storing Leftovers

In the Fridge:

  • To store leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freezing:

  • This recipe doesn’t freeze well as a whole dish, but you can freeze the cooked pasta and sausage separately for up to 3 months.
  • Just be aware that the broccoli’s texture won’t be the same after freezing.

Reheat:

  • To reheat, thaw any frozen components overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Then, warm the pasta gently in a saucepan over low heat and the sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Combine everything and enjoy!

Remember to follow leftover and food safety guidelines.

I hope you enjoy this simple and satisfying sausage broccoli pasta recipe. It’s perfect for any night of the week. With just a few simple ingredients and about 30 minutes, you can have a delicious and hearty meal on the table that the whole family will enjoy.

overhead shot of sausage broccoli pasta on plate.
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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