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

Sam

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.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

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

Instructions

 

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Add parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and mix well, adding more if needed.
• Serve with additional cheese on the side.

Notes

Adapted from this recipe.