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    Urban Bliss Life » All Recipes » Pasta Recipes » Italian Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

    Published: December 27, 2023 / Updated: December 28, 2023 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Italian Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

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    Jump to Recipe
    bowl of Italian Sausage and Broccoli pasta with title text overlay.

    This Italian sausage and broccoli pasta is a hearty, satisfying dinner that you can make in under 30 minutes. It's a great quick family dinner for any busy weeknight.

    big bowl of ziti pasta with Italian sausage and broccoli.

    There's something magical about bringing the family together around a delicious and hearty meal. But pasta night doesn't always have to include rich sauces that simmer on the stove for hours.

    I love making creamy pasta recipes, like Creamy Lobster Ravioli Sauce and Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce. But I also love simple pastas with oil-based sauces that just coat the pastas with a thin yet delicious layer of flavor.

    This Italian Sausage and Broccoli Pasta recipe is a flavorful dish. It's easy to make and also packs a punch of taste and nutrition. This satisfying pasta is perfect for family dinners any night of the week!

    Jump to:
    • 🌟 Why this recipe works
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • ✅ Step-by-step instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Cooking tips and recipe FAQs
    • 🍽 Serving ideas
    • 🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
    • 🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
    • More pasta recipes
    • Italian sausage and broccoli pasta

    🌟 Why this recipe works

    bowl of Italian Sausage and Broccoli pasta

    This is a classic Italian pasta dish that I think you and the whole family will love.

    1. Fast - One of the best things about this pasta recipe is how fast it is. You can make this meal in under 30 minutes.

    2. Versatility - One of the great things about this easy recipe is its versatility. You can use different types of Italian sausage – mild or spicy – based on your family's taste preferences. Additionally, the inclusion of broccoli not only adds a nutritional boost but also a delightful crunch, making it a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

    3. Family-friendly - This recipe is designed to be family-friendly, with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps.

    4. Nutrient-packed - Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Incorporating it into this pasta dish ensures that your family gets a dose of essential nutrients in a delicious and enjoyable way. It's a win-win for both parents and kids!

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    ingredients to make Italian Sausage and Broccoli pasta.
    • Italian sausage - My recipe calls for mild Italian sausage, but you can use spicy Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage. In a pinch you could use sweet Italian sausage, but it will have a different flavor profile.
    • Pasta - The recipe calls for ziti pasta, but you can use orecchiette pasta, penne pasta, rigatoni, fusilli. Choose a pasta shape that will hold the sausage and broccoli.
    • Broccoli - Chop up fresh broccoli (or broccoli rabe) into small, even pieces so they cook evenly. You can include chopped broccoli stems to avoid waste.
    • Olive oil - Use extra virgin olive oil. You can also drizzle some olive oil over the finished dish just before serving.
    • White wine - Choose a white wine you enjoy drinking, such as a Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc. You can substitute chicken broth, veggie broth, or water for the wine.
    • Fresh garlic - Feel free to use more or less minced garlic, depending on your taste preference.
    • Lemon zest - Use a microplane to zest a lemon. This adds a nice bright flavor and acidity to the dish.
    • Red pepper Flakes - A small amount of red pepper flakes adds a little kick to the pasta. If you don't want a spicy sausage pasta, you can use less than what the recipe calls for. You can also omit this ingredient completely if you want no spice at all.
    • Basil - Use thinly sliced or chopepd fresh basil leaves.
    • Salt and pepper - Season the dish with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste.

    ✅ Step-by-step instructions

    You'll find the full list of ingredients and detailed cooking instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are step-by-step photos with a quick summary to show you how to make this Italian sausage and broccoli pasta.

    ziti pasta cooking in a large pot of water.
    hand pouring olive oil into a large skillet.
    1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of hot starchy pasta water for the sauce.

    2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

    Italian sausage cooking with olive oil in a large skillet.
    meat chopper chopping up ground italian sausage in a large skillet.
    Italian sausage cooking in a large skillet.

    3. Add the Italian sausage and break up with a wooden spoon or meat chopper, stirring regularly.

    garlic and Italian sausage cooking in a large skillet.
    chopped broccoli and Italian sausage cooking in a large skillet.
    red pepper flakes added to broccoli and Italian sausage cooking in a large skillet.

    4. Once the sausage is just browned (about 4-5 minutes), add the garlic. Stir and sauté all together for 1-2 minutes, just until the garlic is softened.
    5. Add in the broccoli and red pepper flakes, and stir.

    hand holding white wine over a large skillet of Italian sausage and broccoli.
    ladle with hot starchy pasta water over a large skillet of broccoli and Italian sausage.
    ziti pasta added to a large skillet of broccoli and Italian sausage.

    6. Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the white wine.
    7. When the pasta is done cooking, add 1 cup of the pasta water to the sauce in the skillet with the meat and vegetables.
    8. Drain pasta and add the pasta.

    hand holding bowl of lemon zest over a skillet of broccoli and Italian sausage.
    hand holding bowl of chopped herbs over a skillet of broccoli and Italian sausage.
    hand holding bowl of salt and pepper over a skillet of broccoli and Italian sausage.

    9. Add the lemon zest, and basil to the skillet. Toss the pasta to coat with the sauce and to evenly distribute the flavors. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Drizzle with additional olive oil just before serving.

    a skillet of broccoli and Italian sausage.

    Optional: Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, or for a dairy-free umami nutty flavor, sprinkle in nutritional yeast.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Cooking tips and recipe FAQs

    Cooking tips:

    • This makes a thin olive oil sauce that just lightly coats the pasta. if you want a thicker, creamy sauce, you can add heavy cream and/or butter after allowing the wine to cook in the skillet.
    • Chop the broccoli into small, evenly sized pieces so that they cook up evenly.
    • You can add almost any of your favorite herbs to this pasta. We add basil, but you can add fresh mint, oregano, tarragon, rosemary, or parsley.
    Can I use a different type of pasta?

    Absolutely! While the recipe suggests using ziti, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes. The Italian sausage and broccoli cooks beautifully with orechiette, penne, fusilli, or rigatoni. The key is to choose a pasta that can hold the hearty sausage and broccoli.

    Can I make this dish ahead of time?

    Yes, you can! Prepare the sauce and cook the pasta and broccoli slightly al dente. When you're ready to serve, reheat the sauce and toss everything together. This dish also freezes well for future quick and delicious family dinners.

    What's the best way to store leftovers?

    Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days.

    What's the best way to reheat pasta?

    To reheat, add a splash of water to prevent the pasta from drying out, and warm it up in the microwave or on the stove.

    🍽 Serving ideas

    bowl of Italian Sausage and Broccoli pasta

    Make a full meal with this sausage broccoli pasta dish by serving it with one or two of these delectable side dishes:

    • Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread
    • Air Fryer Garlic Bread
    • Asian Carrot Cucumber Salad
    • Instant Pot Green Beans

    Looking for some delicious desserts to serve with this hearty pasta? Try one of these easy dessert recipes:

    • Dairy-Free Tiramisu
    • Air Fryer Apple Crisp
    • No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
    • Air Fryer Peaches

    🍷 🥂 Wine pairings

    bowl of Italian Sausage and Broccoli pasta with a glass of white wine.

    Pairing the right wine with your Italian Sausage Pasta with Broccoli can elevate your dining experience. Here are a few suggestions:

    1. Sauvignon Blanc - If you prefer white wine, pair this pasta dish with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc can provide a refreshing contrast to the bold flavors of the sausage and add a zesty element to the meal.
    2. Pinot Noir - Light-bodied Pinot Noir pairs well with the savory sausage. It allows the bright acidity to cut through the richness of the dish.
    3. Chianti Classico - Yes, you can pair a lighter pasta sauce with a rich red wine! The robust flavors of Chianti Classico complement the richness of the Italian sausage and the earthiness of the broccoli.

    🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment

    Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:

    • Large pot - You'll need a large pot to cook the pasta in.
    • Large skillet - I love making this dish in an enameled cast iron skillet.
    • Meat chopper - I like to use this meat chopper to quickly break up ground meat while cooking in the skillet.
    • Wooden spoon - Use a wooden spoon to stir together the ingredients.
    • Microplane grater - Use a microplane zester and grater to zest the lemon.
    • Handheld juicer - This is my favorite handheld citrus juicer to juice lemons.

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    Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

    bowl of Italian Sausage and Broccoli pasta.

    Italian sausage and broccoli pasta

    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
    Total Time: 30 minutes mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    This hearty pasta dish is packed with protein and nutritious vitamins and minerals, and is easy to make in under 30 minutes.
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 818kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE 🤍 SAVESaved!

    Equipment

    • 1 stockpot
    • 1 Large Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces pasta ziti, penne, orrechiette, or rigatoni
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving
    • 1 pound mild italian sausage, bulk (removed from casings)
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • ½ pound chopped broccoli florets (about 2-3 cups)
    • ⅕ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • ½ cup dry white wine
    • ½ Tablespoon lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon thinly sliced basil leaves
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast (optional) for serving

    Instructions

    • In a large stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions. Toward the end of cooking time, reserve 1 cup of hot starchy pasta water for the sauce.
    • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and break up with a wooden spoon or meat chopper, stirring regularly.
    • Once the sausage is just browned (about 4-5 minutes), add the garlic. Stir and sauté all together for 1-2 minutes, just until the garlic is softened.
    • Add in the broccoli and red pepper flakes, and stir.
    • Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the white wine. Cook at medium heat, stirring regularly, until the wine is absorbed. This can take anywhere from 1-3 minutes.
    • When the pasta is done cooking, add 1 cup of the starchy pasta water to the sauce in the skillet with the meat and vegetables.
    • Drain the pasta and add the pasta, lemon zest, and basil to the skillet. Toss the pasta to coat with the sauce and to evenly distribute the flavors.
    • Season with kosher salt and pepper. Drizzle with additional olive oil just before serving.
    • Optional: Serve with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, or for a dairy-free umami nutty flavor, sprinkle in nutritional yeast.

    Notes

    Makes approximately 4 servings.
    Note: this makes a very thin sauce that lightly coats the pasta, sausage, and broccoli. You can drizzle more olive oil before serving then toss to coat. If you want a thicker sauce, try adding either a half cup to one cup of heavy cream after heating the white wine if you want a creamy sauce. Or, add a quarter cup (4 tablespoons) of butter to the pasta if you want a buttery sauce. 
    Storage: allow the pasta to cool, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. 
    Substitutions:
    • Substitute chicken broth for the white wine. 
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 818kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 1147mg | Potassium: 691mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 385IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! If you're looking for easy, fast, delicious family-friendly recipes, wine pairings, and travel tips, you've come to the right place! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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