Broccoli Sausage and Pasta Ears
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this flavorful and hearty Broccoli Sausage and Pasta Ears recipe. Featuring tender orecchiette pasta—known for its unique ear-like shape that perfectly cradles the savory sauce—this dish combines the rich, bold flavors of Italian sausage, vibrant broccoli florets, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. A light, garlic-infused olive oil sauce ties everything together, with grated Parmesan adding a luscious, cheesy finish. Ready in just 40 minutes and simple enough for even busy nights, this one-pan wonder is perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining. Serve it with extra Parmesan for a truly irresistible meal! Ideal for those seeking quick pasta recipes, easy one-skillet meals, or Italian-inspired dishes with a fresh twist.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces orecchiette pasta
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 10 ounces Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions, or until al dente. About 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the pot to blanch them. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the casing from the Italian sausage and add it to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking the sausage into small crumbles with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the olive oil. Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the pan. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Add the red pepper flakes, broccoli, and cooked sausage back to the skillet. Toss to combine, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. Gradually add some of the reserved pasta water (starting with 1/4 cup) to create a light sauce. Stir until the pasta is well-coated, adding more pasta water as needed.
Season the dish with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Toss gently to combine.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
686 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.7 g | 41% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.3 g | 57% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 60 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 1236 mg | 54% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 69.0 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.3 g | ||
| Protein | 34.6 g | 69% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 442 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 4.2 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 305 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
