Sausage Broccoli Pasta is a quick and easy dinner recipe that your whole family will love. It is made in just 30 minutes but with the most amazing flavors.
This amazing and simple broccoli pasta recipe is an easy twist on my much-loved Broccoli Pasta. That is a great vegetarian dinner that has gotten lots of positive reviews. But when you are craving something a little more substantial, this delicious sausage pasta recipe is what you need. It is such a fast recipe, and I know it will become a weeknight favorite with your family. The flavors of garlic, Parmesan, and Italian sausage will win over even the pickiest eater.
How to Make Sausage Broccoli Pasta
Cook the Pasta
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until it is al dente. Remember you are only cooking half of the box. Be sure to reserve pasta water before you drain the noodles. See all of my tips and tricks for cooking pasta here: How to Cook Pasta.
Prepare the Broccoli and the Cheese
While the water is coming to a boil, cut up the broccoli and grate the Parmesan cheese. In order for this recipe to go quickly, you need to multitask.
Sauté the Garlic
In a large skillet, sauté the garlic and red pepper flakes for just 30 seconds. You want to cook it until it is fragrant, making sure not to burn it. Add the sausage to the skillet and break it up, browning it.
Add the Broccoli
Toss the broccoli florets, reserved pasta water, and some kosher salt in with the cooked sausage. Cook for three to four minutes or until the broccoli is tender but still bright green.
Add the Cooked Pasta
Finally, add in the pasta and the cheese.
Tips and Tricks
- Use a short cut pasta. I love the shells in this recipe, as in the original, but of course you could use penne pasta, orecchiette pasta, or bow tie pasta.
- Sausage: I like using Italian pork sausage in this recipe, but you could just as easily use turkey sausages to cut back a little on the fat in the recipe. Add it after sautéing the garlic, just as the recipe is currently written. If it begins to stick, you may need to add a touch more olive oil.
- Don’t burn the garlic. Garlic only takes about 30 seconds to cook in olive oil. Those 30 seconds make it soft, flavor the oil, and transform the garlic from intense to the perfect flavor. However, longer than 30 seconds and your garlic will burn. If you burn your garlic, start the recipe over.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. A key to success for this sausage pasta is using freshly grated Parmesan cheese. There are so few ingredients in this recipe that we want to make sure each one is the best. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will add the perfect taste and texture here.
Leftovers
Leftovers of this delicious recipe should be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to four days. I recommend reheating the pasta in a skillet with a bit of chicken broth, covered, over low heat until it warms through. As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.
What to Serve with Sausage Broccoli Pasta
- Arugula Salad: This really light salad is made with shallots and the simplest homemade dressing. It is shockingly good.
- Italian Chopped Salad: If you are serving a larger group, this is a great side because it is so hearty.
- Garlic Bread: My family never says no to garlic bread.
If you make this dinner or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Sausage Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt for salting pasta water
- 1/2 pound pasta shells cooked according to package instructions, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water before draining
- 1 pound broccoli 3 small heads or 4 cups florets, cut into small florets
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese plus more for topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 pound Italian pork sausage
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Please note that a big reason of why this dinner is so quick is because we multitask during it. Read through the whole recipe before you start.
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking water before draining, and adding 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt with the dry pasta.1/2 pound pasta shells
- While the water is coming to a boil, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Cut the broccoli, mince the garlic, and shred the cheese.1 pound broccoli, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add in the sausage and break up, browning it.2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 pound Italian pork sausage
- Once in the sausage is browned, add the broccoli, pasta water, and a teaspoon of salt. Cook until the broccoli is tender but still bright green, about 4 minutes.1 pound broccoli, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Toss with the cooked pasta. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy!1/2 pound pasta shells, 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Recipe Video
Kathy says
You are now my “go to” site for recipes. I love how detailed you are and how easy and really tasty your recipes are. Thx. Keep them coming!
Oh Kathy, thank you so much for this comment. It made my day!
Miroslav says
It seems you forgot to mention adding parmesan.
It is in the last step. :)
Denna Dlabaj says
Lovely. Tell us how it is.
Willie says
Can I use frozen broccoli?
I’ve only made this recipe with fresh broccoli. I’m sure you can use it with frozen broccoli, but it might add a bit more liquid to the dish than you want.
Bonnie says
I LOVE this recipe. I lost my original from 25 yrs ago but this is close enough. I use 3 cloves of garlic and used to cook the broccoli in the pasta water the last 3 min reserving 1/4 c before draining. Becoming lazy, using defrosted frozen broccoli in a pinch works well in this recipe. I also slice the sausage sometimes as that is the first way I had it. This dish is wonderful hot or cold. Thank you for posting it. Having for dinner tonight :))
I’m so glad that you like it!