Weeknight • Pasta
Hearty Sausage and Broccoli Ragu Pasta
This comforting pasta dish features savory sausage, tender broccoli, and a rich, garlicky ragu that’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Say hello to your new favorite comforting pasta! This Hearty Sausage and Broccoli Ragu Pasta is deeply flavorful, surprisingly easy, and destined to become a regular in your rotation. Sweet Italian sausage, crisp-tender broccoli, and a garlicky tomato sauce cling perfectly to your favorite pasta, making for a truly satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 8 oz pasta (such as orecchiette, rigatoni, or cavatelli)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), casings removed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off excess fat, if any, and transfer sausage to a plate.
Step 3
Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 4
Stir in diced tomatoes (undrained), chicken broth, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer, then add the broccoli florets. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until broccoli is tender-crisp.
Step 5
Return cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir in the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese. Toss until everything is well combined and coated in the ragu. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
Step 6
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- For an enriched flavor, add a splash of red wine to the sauce after cooking the garlic and let it simmer down before adding the tomatoes.
- Feel free to experiment with other sturdy vegetables like kale or bell peppers.
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