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 Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Keyword: Fall, sausage broccoli pasta
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 760kcal
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Serve. Serve immediately, using the extra ¼ cup Parmesan to garnish each plate with additional Parmesan cheese.
- 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