I started making this Pasta With Chicken Sausage and Broccoli because I needed something filling that didn’t take forever and also didn’t leave me with a mountain of dishes afterward. Some nights I just want a real dinner without turning the kitchen upside down, and this recipe honestly saves me every time.
The chicken sausage adds so much flavor without needing a ton of extra ingredients, and the broccoli works really well with the garlic and pasta instead of just feeling randomly thrown in there. I’ve made this on busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, and even those evenings where I almost ordered takeout but changed my mind last minute. If you already like recipes like Chicken Mushroom Pasta, Mushroom Spinach Pasta, or Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta, this one fits perfectly into that easy dinner rotation.
Why You Will Love This Pasta With Chicken Sausage And Broccoli
What I love most about this pasta is that it tastes hearty without feeling too heavy afterward. The chicken sausage gives the dish loads of flavor while the broccoli keeps everything fresh and balanced.
It’s also really easy to customize depending on what you already have at home. Sometimes I use spicy chicken sausage for extra heat, and other times I add more parmesan because honestly there’s never enough parmesan.
Another good thing is how quickly everything comes together. While the pasta cooks, the sausage and broccoli basically handle themselves in the skillet, so dinner doesn’t drag on forever.
The leftovers are also surprisingly good the next day. I actually think the flavors settle together even more after sitting overnight.
What You Will Need
A large skillet or sauté pan works best because you need enough space to toss the pasta together with the sausage and broccoli without everything spilling everywhere.
You’ll also need a large pot for boiling the pasta evenly. A simple basic pot works completely fine here.
A sharp knife helps with slicing the chicken sausage and chopping the broccoli into even pieces so everything cooks at the same speed.
If you want freshly grated parmesan on top, a basic grater makes a big difference because fresh parmesan melts much better than the pre-shredded kind.
Ingredients Needed
- 12 ounces pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces chicken sausage, sliced
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup pasta water
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
How To Make Pasta With Chicken Sausage And Broccoli
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets into the pasta water so they soften slightly without turning mushy.
Before draining, save about half a cup of pasta water.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned around the edges.
Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and a little salt. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet.
Pour in a little pasta water and toss everything together until coated well.
Stir in parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce lightly coats the pasta.
Top with chopped parsley before serving.
I usually add extra parmesan and black pepper right before eating because it makes the pasta even better. This recipe also pairs really well with Frisee Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad, or even Apple Cucumber Juice if you want something lighter on the side.
Tips For Pasta With Chicken Sausage And Broccoli
Try not to overcook the broccoli because it softens more after mixing into the hot pasta.
Saving pasta water really helps the parmesan coat the pasta better instead of turning clumpy.
If you want the pasta creamier, add a splash of heavy cream near the end while tossing everything together.
Spicy chicken sausage works especially well here if you like a little extra heat.
Pasta With Chicken Sausage And Broccoli
Description
I started making this Pasta With Chicken Sausage and Broccoli because I needed something filling that didn’t take forever and also didn’t leave me with a mountain of dishes afterward. Some nights I just want a real dinner without turning the kitchen upside down, and this recipe honestly saves me every time.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
-
During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets into the pasta water so they soften slightly without turning mushy.
-
Before draining, save about half a cup of pasta water.
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
-
Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned around the edges.
-
Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and a little salt. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
-
Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet.
-
Pour in a little pasta water and toss everything together until coated well.
-
Stir in parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce lightly coats the pasta.
-
Top with chopped parsley before serving.
-
I usually add extra parmesan and black pepper right before eating because it makes the pasta even better. This recipe also pairs really well with Frisee Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad, or even Apple Cucumber Juice if you want something lighter on the side.
