This Broccolini Sausage Pasta is made with sausage, broccoli rabe, garlic, diced tomato, orecchiette pasta, olive oil and red pepper flakes.
This is one of my favorite of Nan’s recipes. She makes this once a month and it is always a hit in the family. This dish is so quick and easy to make, using the same residual broccoli rabe water to cook the pasta. It almost seems impossible to make a recipe that the whole family would like, but this one is a winner. This meal is an an easy way to get your kids to eat their greens. It takes 25 minutes to make, tops. You will need to take the sausage out of the casing and break it apart to mix in well with the dish.
If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Crab Marinara and my Lobster Bucatini.
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Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:
- Sausage
- Broccoli rabe
- Garlic
- Tomato
- Orecchiette
- Olive oil
See recipe card for Broccolini Sausage Pasta quantities.
Instructions
Start by blanching the broccoli rabe in a deep pan of boiling water. Put the broccoli rabe in for 2 minutes and take it out. When you are done, use tongs to take the broccoli rabe out and set aside. Do not strain the water as we will be cooking the pasta inside the same pot of water!
Take the sausage out of the casing and then cutting the sausage into bite sized pieces. In a large pan, place 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Wait until the garlic browns and then add the sausage. Cook the sausage for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour in the diced tomatoes. Stir for 4 minutes and place the blanched broccoli rabe into the sausage mixture. Add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to your liking. Stir everything until the sausage is cooked, about an extra 10 minutes. The sausage will be ready when the outside of the sausages are a deep golden brown and the inside is pale but with no sign of pink or blood.
Cook the pasta in the same broccoli rabe water and put the pasta back into the pot according to package instructions. When both the sausage mixture and pasta are done, combine and enjoy! Top with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes to your liking.
Hint: You only need to add the broccolini in boiling water for 2 minutes.
Substitutions
- Sausage: I love using Italian sausage for this, with a combination of some being spicy and some being sweet.
- Broccolini: For best results, use a fresh head of broccolini.
- Parmesan: I use regular grated parmesan from the store. You could also grate your own parmesan too.
- Garlic: You can smash the garlic or mince it.
- Olive Oil: I would extra virgin olive oil for best quality and taste.
- Pasta: I used orechiette but you can use any bite size pasta.
Variations
Cooking is a chance to be creative! Have fun with it and feel free to make your own variation.
- Spicy - add extra chili pepper flakes while cooking to imbue heat into the dish.
- Kid friendly - add extra cheese for the kids.
Check out this CAJUN SHRIMP ORZO!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Stone bakeware takes longer to heat up than metal pans, and also retain heat for longer, which could make the recipe more watery, or burnt on the outsides.
I love using my Caraway pots, pans and baking sheets for best quality. Get yourself a discount by clicking here!
Storage
This will be good in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
These Broccolini Sausage Pasta ingredients can be frozen for up to three months.
Top tip
You only need to blanche the broccolini first since you will be adding it back in with the sausage later.
Broccolini Pasta Sausage
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Broccolini Pasta Sausage is made with sausage, broccolini, minced garlic, tomatoes, pasta, and olive oil.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs of sausage (hot and sweet sausage each)
- 2 bunches of broccoli rabe
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
- 1 can of diced tomato
- 1 lb of orecchiette pasta
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, parmesan and red pepper flakes as you like
Instructions
- Start by blanching the broccoli rabe in a deep pan of boiling water. Put the broccoli rabe in for 2 minutes and take it out. When you are done, use tongs to take the broccoli rabe out and set aside. Do not strain the water as we will be cooking the pasta inside the same pot of water!
- Take the sausage out of the casing and then cutting the sausage into bite sized pieces. In a large pan, place 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Wait until the garlic browns and then add the sausage. Cook the sausage for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes. Stir for 4 minutes and place the blanched broccoli rabe into the sausage mixture. Add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to your liking. Stir everything until the sausage is cooked, about an extra 10 minutes. The sausage will be ready when the outside of the sausages are a deep golden brown and the inside is pale but with no sign of pink or blood.
- Cook the pasta in the same broccoli rabe water and put the pasta back into the pot according to package instructions. When both the sausage mixture and pasta are done, combine and enjoy! Top with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes to your liking.
Notes
- I recommend making this dish with orecchiette. If you are feeling adventurous, click here to see how to make them from scratch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Saute
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 871 mg
- Fat: 21.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 16.6 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 14.9 g
- Cholesterol: 60.1 mg
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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