Orecchiette with Italian Sausage Broccoli and Parmesan Cheese
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Italy with this Orecchiette with Italian Sausage, Broccoli, and Parmesan Cheese recipe that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an elegant weekend meal. With tender orecchiette pasta as the perfect base, this dish combines the savory depth of browned Italian sausage—spicy or mild, your choice—with vibrant broccoli florets steamed to perfection. A hint of garlic and a touch of red pepper flakes add aromatic warmth, while freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts into the dish, creating a luscious, creamy finish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this one-pan wonder is easy to make, brimming with bold flavors, and endlessly satisfying. Serve it with an extra sprinkle of cheese for the ultimate bite of comfort food simplicity. Keywords: orecchiette pasta recipe, Italian sausage broccoli dish, Parmesan cheese pasta, easy weeknight dinner.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces Orecchiette pasta
- 8 ounces Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 3 cups Broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 units Garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
- 0.5 cups Chicken broth
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 0 to taste Salt
- 0 to taste Black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2
While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Step 3
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4
Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Pour in the chicken broth, cover the skillet, and let the broccoli steam for another 3-4 minutes until tender but still bright green.
Step 5
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Add the drained orecchiette to the skillet and toss to coat in the sausage and broccoli mixture. If the dish seems dry, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Step 6
Turn off the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 7
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1124.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2728.8 |
| Total Fat 120.9g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 44.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 254.9mg | 0% |
| Sodium 6418.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 274.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 13.9g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 9.7g | |
| Protein 137.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1763.9mg | 0% |
| Iron 17.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1315.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories