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Sausage Broccoli Pasta

This sausage broccoli pasta is a quick and easy weeknight meal that you’ll actually enjoy eating. Tons of flavor, simple ingredients, and plenty of yummy parmesan. I love pasta dinner recipes because they are quick, easy, and a great way to have everything ready in one pan.

Oh, donโ€™t overcook the broccoli! You want it to be crisp-tender, not mushy.

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
  • ยฝ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 cups chopped broccoli about two crowns broccoli
  • ยพ cup chicken broth
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • ยผ cup heavy whipping cream
  • ยพ cup shredded Parmesan

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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 ยฝ 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 ยผ 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 ยผ 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. Itโ€™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!

Serving Suggestions

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

Key Ingredients and Tools

Orecchiette Pasta. This type of pasta is shaped like little ears, and those โ€œearsโ€ 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 canโ€™t find orecchiette.

overhead shot of ingredients measured out on counter.

Italian Sausage. I like to use mild Italian sausage, but you can use hot for a spicier dish. Youโ€™ll find it in the refrigerated meat section, often near the breakfast sausage.

Broccoli. 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.

Fresh Garlic. Freshly minced garlic adds so much flavor to this dish! I donโ€™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. 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.

Storing Leftovers

In the Fridge:

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

Freezing:

  • This recipe doesnโ€™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 broccoliโ€™s texture wonโ€™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!

I hope you enjoy this simple and satisfying dinner. 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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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe was an absolute hit…full of favorite flavors and very comforting on a cold night. Great recipe, Katie.