Description
Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli is a comforting Italian dish that combines the savory goodness of Italian sausage with tender broccoli and delightful orecchiette pasta. This one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights or festive gatherings, offering a satisfying explosion of flavors in every bite. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, it’s a dish that brings family and friends together around the table, making it an instant favorite for all occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz orecchiette pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot, add orecchiette, and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook crumbled Italian sausage until browned (about 5-7 minutes), stirring frequently.
- Stir in minced garlic and broccoli florets; cook until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp (about 4-5 minutes).
- Add drained orecchiette to the skillet with a splash of reserved pasta water; toss until well combined.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper; stir to distribute evenly.
- Top with generous shavings of Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg