Why Make This Recipe
Italian Sausage Pasta with Broccoli is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. It combines the rich flavors of Italian sausage with the freshness of broccoli, making it both hearty and healthy. This recipe is not only satisfying but also brings a comforting taste of Italy right to your kitchen. The addition of nutritional yeast gives it a cheesy flavor without any dairy. It’s a fantastic option for everyone!
How to Make Italian Sausage Pasta with Broccoli
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 pound farfalle pasta
- 1 head broccoli (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (*see notes)
Directions:
Cook the pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil for the pasta. Cook the farfalle according to the package directions, adding the broccoli to the pot 4 minutes before straining.
Brown the sausage: Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage meat and brown it, breaking it into small pieces. Cook until the sausage is golden brown and caramelized.
Make the sauce: Add olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper to the skillet. Reduce the heat and continue cooking until the pasta is ready. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before straining the pasta and broccoli.
Toss everything together: Add the cooked broccoli and farfalle to the skillet, then add 1/4 cup of pasta water at a time until the sauce reaches the right consistency. Stir in the nutritional yeast before serving.
How to Serve Italian Sausage Pasta with Broccoli
Serve the pasta hot in a large bowl or individual plates. You can garnish it with more nutritional yeast or freshly cracked black pepper for added flavor. A side salad and some crusty bread make great additions to this meal.
How to Store Italian Sausage Pasta with Broccoli
If you have leftovers, allow the pasta to cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through.
Tips to Make Italian Sausage Pasta with Broccoli
- Use turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter option.
- For added flavor, try adding fresh herbs like basil or parsley before serving.
- If you like extra spice, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
Variation
You can easily customize this dish by adding other vegetables such as bell peppers, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes. Swap out farfalle for another pasta shape like penne or spaghetti to suit your preference.
FAQs
1. Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! You can replace the Italian sausage with a plant-based sausage or skip it altogether and add more vegetables.
2. What if I don’t have nutritional yeast?
If you don’t have nutritional yeast, you can simply leave it out or use grated Parmesan cheese for a similar cheesy flavor.
3. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze the pasta. Just make sure to store it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen or let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Italian Sausage Pasta with Broccoli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) Add for extra spice
- 1 pound farfalle pasta
- 1 head broccoli (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast Can substitute with grated Parmesan cheese if desired
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil for the pasta.
- Cook the farfalle according to the package directions, adding the broccoli to the pot 4 minutes before straining.
Browning Sausage
- Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the sausage meat and brown it, breaking it into small pieces until golden brown.
Making Sauce
- Add olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper to the skillet.
- Reduce the heat and continue cooking until the pasta is ready. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before straining the pasta and broccoli.
Combining Ingredients
- Add the cooked broccoli and farfalle to the skillet, then add 1/4 cup of pasta water at a time until the sauce reaches the right consistency.
- Stir in the nutritional yeast before serving.