Weeknight • Pasta
Weeknight Sausage & Broccoli Pasta
A hearty and simple pasta dish featuring savory sausage, tender broccoli, and a light lemon-garlic sauce.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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When dinner calls for something satisfying, quick, and packed with flavor, this Weeknight Sausage and Broccoli Pasta answers the call! It's a true pantry hero, combining savory Italian sausage with vibrant broccoli and a bright lemon-garlic sauce that comes together in a flash. Forget takeout – this dish is comforting, easy, and endlessly delicious.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz medium pasta shells or orecchiette
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli florets to the boiling water during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and broccoli together.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
Step 3
Add minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and desired amount of red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 4
Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet. Stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed (1-4 tablespoons) to create a light sauce that coats the pasta.
Step 5
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Don't worry about perfect broccoli florets - smaller pieces will cook faster and integrate nicely.
- If you prefer a saucier pasta, increase the chicken broth amount slightly and add more pasta water.
- A drizzle of good quality olive oil just before serving really brightens up the flavors.
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