Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli
Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli is a hearty and flavorful Italian dish that combines the chewy texture of orecchiette pasta with savory Italian sausage and nutritious broccoli. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, packed with protein and vegetables.
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 large skillet
- 1 colander
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 cooking spoon
Ingredients
- 12 oz orecchiette pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage sweet or spicy, your choice
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot with the pasta. Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet with the sausage. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Incorporate the cooked orecchiette and broccoli into the skillet, tossing everything together well. Add reserved pasta water gradually, a little at a time, until the desired sauce consistency is achieved.
- Season the dish with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cook for another 2 minutes, allowing all ingredients to meld together.
- Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
You can substitute Italian sausage with chicken sausage or turkey sausage for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, replace the sausage with mushrooms or chickpeas. Feel free to add other vegetables, such as bell peppers or cherry tomatoes, for extra flavor and nutrition.