Weeknight • Pasta
Spicy Sausage and Broccolini Pasta
A flavorful pasta dish with spicy sausage, tender broccolini, and a hint of lemon, perfect for any night.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Sometimes, you just need a pasta dish that hits all the right notes: savory, a little spicy, and packed with green goodness. This Spicy Sausage and Broccolini Pasta is exactly that! It's incredibly satisfying, comes together fast, and is sure to become a new rotation favorite.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz short pasta (e.g., orecchiette, penne, cavatappi)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (hot or mild, casings removed)
- 1 bunch broccolini, trimmed and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
Step 3
Add the chopped broccolini to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccolini is tender-crisp and bright green. If it starts to stick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Step 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 5
Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.
Step 6
Add the drained pasta to the skillet, along with the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Toss everything together, adding a splash or two of the reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce that coats the pasta. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 7
Serve hot, with extra Parmesan cheese for sprinkling.
Tips
- If you can't find broccolini, regular broccoli florets will work! Just make sure to cut them into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spice.
- A good quality Parmesan cheese really elevates this dish, so splurge a little if you can!
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