Simple Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

I don’t know about you, but around here meals that can be ready in less than 30 minutes are lifesavers. Life is busy and spending hours cooking a delicious and healthy meal just isn’t something I have the time or desire to do every night. With simple ingredients and a little bit of time this simple and tasty pasta dish is ready to enjoy.

This pasta dish has three main ingredients; pasta, broccoli and Italian sausage. It’s then covered in Parmesan and olive oil for a light sauce. You know when you make a recipe again after a long time and it isn’t as good as you remember? That didn’t happen with this one. It was every bit as delicious as I remembered and the hubby agreed.

What’s your go-to dinner?

Simple Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

Since you mix everything up in the same pot you boil the pasta in, you need a big pot, mine is 8 quarts. I’ve only made this recipe with chicken sausage, but pork sausage would be delicious, just not as healthy.

Ingredients:

1 pound Italian sausage
12 ounces uncooked small shell pasta
3-4 cups broccoli florets
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Shredded cheese for serving

Directions:

1. Heat a large pot of water. While the water is heating, cook the sausage over medium-high, heat for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it up as you go. Remove from heat.
2. Once the water reaches a boil, add the pasta and bring it back to a boil. Once the water and pasta is boiling, add the broccoli and cook according to pasta instructions for al dente. When pasta is done cooking, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta and broccoli.
3. Return the pot to the stove and set heat to high. Add olive oil and saute the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low and add pasta, broccoli and sausage to the pot and mix well.
4. Add parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and mix well, adding more if needed.
5. Serve with additional cheese on the side.

Adapted from this recipe.