This Broccoli Pasta with Sausage Recipe (Italian)- is an easy and delicious meal the entire family will enjoy! Perfectly cooked pasta with tender broccoli florets topped and browned sausage topped with parmigiano cheese is a recipe the whole family loves!
'Pasta con broccoli' with sausage is a favorite pasta dish in our home! Add this to your list of meal plans as a go-to recipe.
More broccoli pasta recipes you will love: Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake with White Sauce and Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta in Cream Sauce. Another sausage and pasta recipe: Orecchiette with Sausage Peppers and Arugula (video)
Why I love this recipe
If you love simple, traditional pasta recipes, this will be a favorite. I made it for the family last night and everyone wanted the last serving! I love the sweet lemon zest and hint of basil to complement the savory sausage.
It might be different from other broccoli pasta recipes you’ve tried- the best part- the broccoli is cooked with the pasta!
This saves a bit of time and also flavors the pasta water that is used to thicken the sauce.
Good food always puts me in a good mood. This meal for me is like comfort food without the heaviness. I hope you love it too!
Jump to:
- Ingredients for Broccoli and Sausage Pasta
- How to make Broccoli and Sausage Pasta
- How to Make Video
- Broccoli Recommendations
- Sausage Recommendations
- Pasta Shapes for Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
- Substitutions
- Recipe Variations
- Skillet recommendations
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage
- Top tips
- Broccoli Pasta with Sausage Recipe (Italian)
Ingredients for Broccoli and Sausage Pasta
With a few simple ingredients you will have a crowd pleasing easy recipe in 20 minutes!
- 1 pound short pasta
- Broccoli florets
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic cloves
- Ground Italian pork sausage
- Red pepper flakes (plus more to taste)
- Parmigiano (plus more for serving)
- Lemon zest
- Basil
Reserved pasta water
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Broccoli and Sausage Pasta
Follow these simple instructions with photos as a reference while making this quick dinner recipe.
- Heat large saute pan to medium-high heat. Add olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Let cook for one minute to flavor the oil. Add Italian sausage and break it up as it begins to cook. Cook until the sausage is browned.
- Meanwhile, heat a large pot of water (4 quarts) to boiling. Once boiling salt (2 tablespoons, or to taste) the water and then add the pasta— boil the pasta to al dente (according to package instructions).
Follow this detailed guide to cook pasta perfectly every time!
- During the last three minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli mixture, and add to the skillet of cooked sausage. Stir in reserved pasta water and fresh lemon zest. Toss to combine.
- Serve hot! Buon appetito!
Make sure your use the right pasta tool for stirring your pasta!
Hint: If you forget to save your pasta water (it happens to the best of us!). Heat up a cup of chicken broth or veggie broth and use that instead! It won't have the starches from the pasta water, but it will do!
How to Make Video
Watch this quick how-to video to see how this dish comes together in no time at all!
Broccoli Recommendations
For this particular recipe, I use regular fresh broccoli and trim the ends and cut them into small pieces. This makes them cook faster and they are also easier to eat when prepared this way.
You may also use: broccolini or broccoli rabe. They will require a slightly shorter cook time.
TIP: If you have vegetables you need to cook right away- You can always par-boil the broccoli ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to make the dish.
Sausage Recommendations
I like to purchase Italian ground pork sausage from the meat counter of my local grocery store. I find that it tastes fresher this way. You may use any variety of Italian ground sausage you like.
I like the Italian ground sausage variety since it has a hint of fennel seeds that make it unique!
More meat pasta recipes: BEST Italian Beef Short Rib Ragu, Classic Italian Ragu Recipe (Meat Sauce), and Nonna's Famous Traditional Italian Meatballs (Polpette).
Pasta Shapes for Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
I like to use short pasta for this recipe. The shape goes well with the rest of the ingredients and it makes every bite contain the perfect ratios of each. Read more about pairing pasta shapes with sauce.
I often use fusili pasta for this recipe, but you can also use mezze (shorter) rigatoni, small shells, orecchiette pasta (little ears), farfalle, rigatoni, or penne.
More pasta and vegetable recipes you will love: Cream, Eggplant and Tomato Pasta Sauce, Shredded Zucchini and Cheese Pasta (easy), Pappardelle Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Sauce, and Easy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Asparagus.
Substitutions
- Spicy-Spicy - for an added kick use spicy sausage and the red chili flakes. This will really knock your socks off!
- Vegetarian - the ground sausage can be replaced with a plant-based variety to make this vegetarian, or you can leave it out!
- Kid Friendly - If you're children or grandchildren don't like spice leave out the red chili flakes entirely.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is simple and golden as-is. If you are looking to add a twist here a couple ideas:
- Mix it up - Substitute the broccoli for asparagus or green peas.
- Extra topping - add a some toasted breadcrumbs on top for a crunchy topping.
- Cheese - it is common to use Pecorino Romano cheese for broccoli pasta- you can use that instead of the parmigiano.
- Depth of flavor - add an extra depth of flavor by adding a ¼ of white wine after cooking the sausage.
Skillet recommendations
I love how this meal is tossed together in the large sauté pan after the pasta and broccoli are done cooking. Here is my favorite large skillet that works well for this recipe.
When making one pound of pasta it is important to use a large pot that will allow the pasta to love freely. This provides even cooking.
*affiliate links
Serving Suggestions
This is a great main dish for a busy weeknight. If you want to make it extra add some crusty bread, and a simple salad. Don't forget dessert- Simple Italian Apple Cake (one bowl).
Storage
To store leftovers make sure to use proper airtight containers for storage. Store in fridge and consume after 2-3 days.
Top tips
- Use freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Read why HERE.
- Reserve your pasta water to thicken the sauce and add flavor.
More recipes for you:
- BEST Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto Brown Butter
- Italian Stuffed Zucchini (vegetarian)
- Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Best Italian Style Stuffed Peppers
- Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)
Make sure to leave a star review below!
Make sure to tag me on Instagram @cucinabyelena. I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.
This delicious broccoli pasta recipe is one that everyone loves! Make and share with your loved ones soon.
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Broccoli Pasta with Sausage Recipe (Italian)
This Broccoli Pasta with Sausage Recipe (Italian)- is an easy and delicious meal the entire family will enjoy! Perfectly cooked al dente pasta with tender broccoli florets topped with parmigiano and pecorino Romano cheese makes everyone come running for dinner.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound short pasta of choice
- 16 oz broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground Italian pork sausage
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (plus more to taste)
- 1 cup grated parmigiano (plus more for serving)
- ½ tablespoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup basil, torn by hand
Instructions
- Heat large saute pan to medium-high heat. Add olive oil. Once hot, add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Let cook for one minute to flavor the oil. Add Italian sausage and break it up as it begins to cook. Cook until the sausage is browned. If the sausage releases a lot of fat you can remove some. Leave a little to create sauce!
- Meanwhile, heat a large pot of water (4 quarts) to boiling. Once boiling salt (2 tablespoons, or to taste) the water and then add the pasta—Cook the pasta to al dente (according to the package instructions).
- During the last three minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli, and add to the skillet of cooked sausage. Stir in reserved pasta water, fresh lemon zest, basil, and toss to combine. Add more cheese before serving.
- Serve hot! Buon appetito!
Notes
If you forget to save your pasta water (it happens to the best of us!). Heat up a cup of chicken or veggie broth and use that instead! It won't have the starches from the pasta water, but it will do!
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: pasta, broccoli, sausage, Italian recipes, easy dinner, main meal
Elena says
A Recipe we make often! Yummm
★★★★★
J says
A family favorite to make often!
★★★★★
Janis Bennion says
Quick and easy. We used broccoli & cauliflower. Heated up leftovers the next day with a touch of cream. Delicious!
★★★★★
Elena says
So happy you loved the recipe! It is an easy one to make and love.
Peter says
To much with the lemon zest. The pasta seems to be out proportion.
★★★
Elena says
The lemon zest is a matter of preference. Feel free to add less. I weigh the pasta to measure and found the ration to sausage and broccoli with pasta was optimal. Feel free to add less next time. Enjoy!
Alexa says
Quick, easy, but so flavorful! Perfect for a weeknight. Added a shallot in with the garlic just because I had it. I’m sure this will be a repeat. May try with brussels sprouts next time 🙂
★★★★★
Elena says
It is an easy one to make often!