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Broccoli and Sausage Pasta Recipe

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3.9 from 11 reviews

This Broccoli and Sausage Pasta is a quick and flavorful weeknight meal combining tender pasta, sautéed Italian sausage, and fresh broccoli florets, all tossed in a lemon-infused olive oil sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it offers a perfect balance of savory and fresh flavors with a hint of heat from optional red pepper flakes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Basic Ingredients

  • Kosher salt (to taste)
  • 1 pound short pasta (such as fusilli or orecchiette)
  • 1 head broccoli (chopped into florets)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
  • 1 shallot (minced)
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until nearly al dente. In the last 4 to 5 minutes of cooking, add the chopped broccoli florets to the pot to blanch. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta and broccoli together.
  2. Brown Sausage and Sauté Aromatics: Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks and browns. After 3 minutes, add the minced shallots and cook for 2 more minutes. Then stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes if using, cooking until the garlic is fragrant and the sausage is fully cooked through.
  3. Combine Pasta, Broccoli, and Sausage: Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the cooked sausage mixture. Pour in the lemon juice and toss everything well to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and meld the flavors. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with a generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and an extra drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • You can substitute the short pasta with any other shape you prefer such as penne, rotini, or farfalle.
  • If you want a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes.
  • To make it lighter, use turkey sausage instead of Italian sausage.
  • Adding a handful of toasted pine nuts or walnuts gives a nice texture contrast.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://monicarecipes.com/broccoli-and-sausage-pasta-recipe/