Broccoli Sausage Pasta

This broccoli sausage pasta is perfect for an easy and delicious weeknight dinner.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword broccoli sausage pasta, sausage and broccoli pasta

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 576kcal

8 oz dry pasta - I like orecchiette shape for this recipe - reserve ⅓ cup pasta water.
12 oz broccoli florets
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
12-16 oz Italian seasoned chicken sausage
2 tbsp butter
¼ cup heavy cream
⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Black pepper

Boil heavily salted water for pasta. While the water comes to a boil, mince the garlic, cut the sausage into ¼” thick slices, and cut the florets into small pieces.
When the water gets close to boiling, heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet and add the garlic to the pan, saute for just a couple minutes and add the sausage to the pan.
Drop the pasta in the pot to boil and continue cooking the sausage until browned. Add butter into the skillet and toss until melted. Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Mix until evenly combined.
When the pasta has 2 minutes left to cook, reserve ⅓ cup pasta water and add the chopped broccoli to the boiling water. Transfer the cooked pasta and broccoli into the skillet with the chicken sausage and sauce.
Toss to combine and pour in the pasta water. Continue cooking for another minute or so and then serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Save a little bit more time in the kitchen by using pre-cut broccoli florets.
Don't skip the reserved pasta water! This starchy water makes such a difference in the consistency of the sauce versus using fresh water!
Keep a close eye on your pasta and don't be afraid to pull a piece of pasta out and try it to see how done it is! You will want it a little under cooked though since it can finish cooking once everything is mixed together.
This recipe can be made gluten-free by just switching to gluten-free pasta. Just follow the package instructions for cooking time.
You can use any other type of sausage such as pork sausage, turkey sausage, or vegetarian sausage as a substitute for the chicken sausage. You can also use ground sausage.