Ingredients
- 16 oz broccoli florets (about 2 small crowns)
- 1 lb orecchiette pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 16 oz raw turkey sausage
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups reserved pasta water
- For Topping:
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Red pepper flakes
- Freshly cracked pepper
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Clean and trim the broccoli. Chop the florets into small pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the orecchiette pasta according to the package directions, but remove from heat 2 minutes early. Be sure to reserve 2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Cook the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with the back of a spatula or spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until browned.
- Add the Broccoli and Garlic: Add the chopped broccoli and minced garlic to the skillet. Toss everything together and cook for another 5-6 minutes, until the broccoli is softened. Add a sprinkle of water if needed to help steam and soften the broccoli.
- Combine Pasta and Sausage Mixture: When the pasta is done cooking, add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water if the mixture seems dry.
- Serve: Serve with desired toppings: grated parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, flaky sea salt, red pepper flakes, and freshly cracked pepper.
Notes
- For added heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- You can substitute turkey sausage with chicken sausage or another protein of choice.
- If you like extra creaminess, stir in a spoonful of ricotta or cream cheese when combining the pasta and sausage mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: undefined
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg