Description
This orecchiette with sausage and broccoli is a quick, comforting weeknight pasta made with just 5 simple ingredients and ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. broccoli florets (about 2 small crowns)
- 1 lb. orecchiette pasta
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 16 oz. raw Italian sausage
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 cups reserved pasta water
- Toppings: grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, red pepper flakes, freshly cracked pepper, flaky sea salt
Instructions
1. Clean and trim broccoli, chopping florets into small pieces.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, removing from heat 2 minutes early. Reserve 2 cups pasta water before draining.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook 5–6 minutes until browned.
4. Add broccoli and garlic to the skillet. Cook 5–6 minutes until broccoli softens, adding a splash of water to steam if needed.
5. Add drained pasta and half the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together, adding more water if mixture seems dry.
6. Serve hot, topped with parmesan, olive oil, red pepper flakes, pepper, and sea salt.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
Not ideal for freezing due to texture changes in pasta and broccoli.
Reheat in a skillet or microwave with a splash of olive oil if dry.
Use pork, chicken, or turkey sausage. Medium shells or penne can replace orecchiette if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta Dinner Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg