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
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.
- 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.
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
Nutrition
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
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 760kcal