Sausage Broccoli Pasta

5 from 5 votes

This easy sausage broccoli pasta is a family-friendly one-pot dinner with Italian sausage, tender broccoli, and parmesan—perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

Calories: 621kcal

Author: Sarah

1 pound short-cut pasta (such as farfalle, orecchiette, penne, or mezze rigatoni)
salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound sweet or spicy Italian sausage (removed from casings)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1 - 1¼ pound broccoli florets (cut small)
1 cup chicken broth (we use 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon paste mixed with 1 cup hot water)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (alternatively, add 1/4-1/3 cup heavy cream)
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet, and add the sausage, breaking it up into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until nicely browned and crispy. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then add the broccoli, chicken broth, and pepper. Stir and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until most of the broth has cooked off and the broccoli is tender.
Use a strainer to transfer the pasta from the boiling water to the skillet. Off the heat, add the butter and parmesan and toss well, adding pasta water as needed to keep the sauce smooth and silky. Serve immediately!