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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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
Directions
Step 1
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.
Step 2
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.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
Add the red pepper flakes, broccoli, and cooked sausage back to the skillet. Toss to combine, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Step 5
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.
Step 6
Season the dish with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Toss gently to combine.
Step 7
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1297.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2761.8 |
| Total Fat 127.7g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 45.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 262.0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 5040.9mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 276.1g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 13.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 9.4g | |
| Protein 138.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1768.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 17.2mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1288.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories