If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and delicious weeknight dinner, Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli is your answer! This classic Italian-inspired dish is packed with bold flavors, combining juicy Italian sausage, tender broccoli, and perfectly cooked orecchiette pasta, all tossed together in a light, garlicky sauce. With just a few simple ingredients, this meal is both satisfying and incredibly easy to whip up in just 30 minutes. The orecchiette, or “little ears” pasta, is the perfect shape to cradle bits of savory sausage and crisp-tender broccoli, ensuring every bite is full of flavor. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes take this dish to the next level. Whether you’re cooking for family or just need a quick, comforting meal, this recipe is a guaranteed hit!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 16 oz. broccoli florets (about 2 small crowns)
- 1 lb. orecchiette pasta
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 16 oz. raw Italian sausage
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups reserved pasta water
- Toppings: grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, red pepper flakes, freshly cracked pepper, flaky sea salt
Directions:
- Clean and trim broccoli, chopping florets into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions but remove from heat 2 minutes early. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spatula or spoon, and cook for about 5-6 minutes until browned.
- Add the chopped broccoli and minced garlic to the pan, tossing everything together. Cook for another 5-6 minutes, allowing the broccoli to soften. If needed, add a sprinkle of water to help steam the broccoli.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with 1 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water if the mixture seems dry.
- Serve immediately, topping with grated parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, red pepper flakes, flaky sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 480 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Quick & Easy Preparation
One of the biggest advantages of this dish is its speed and simplicity. Unlike complex pasta dishes that require long cooking times and multiple steps, this recipe comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s an ideal choice for busy professionals, parents, or anyone looking to put a delicious meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.
Since it requires only a few key ingredients, many of which are pantry staples, you can easily whip up this meal without a last-minute trip to the grocery store. Orecchiette pasta, Italian sausage, fresh broccoli, garlic, and olive oil are all you need to create this flavorful dish.
2. Balanced & Nutritious
This dish is not only delicious but also well-balanced. It includes:
- Protein from Italian sausage, making it a hearty and filling meal.
- Fiber & Vitamins from fresh broccoli, adding essential nutrients to the dish.
- Carbohydrates from pasta, providing the energy needed to keep you full and satisfied.
By incorporating a generous portion of broccoli, this pasta dish ensures that you’re getting your daily dose of greens without sacrificing taste. Broccoli is rich in fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants, making it an excellent addition to any meal.
3. Rich Italian Flavors
The combination of Italian sausage and garlic gives this dish its signature bold flavor. Depending on your preference, you can choose a mild, sweet, or spicy Italian sausage to customize the dish to your taste. The sausage brings depth and heartiness, while the garlic and olive oil create a fragrant and savory base that ties everything together.
For an extra burst of flavor, toppings like grated parmesan cheese, flaky sea salt, and red pepper flakes add a finishing touch that elevates the dish from simple to spectacular.
4. Customizable & Versatile
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can easily customize it to fit your dietary preferences:
- Make it vegetarian by swapping out the Italian sausage for a plant-based sausage alternative or sautéed mushrooms.
- Go gluten-free by using a gluten-free pasta option.
- Add more veggies like cherry tomatoes, zucchini, or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
- Use a different pasta if orecchiette isn’t available penne, rotini, or fusilli are great alternatives.
With so many ways to modify the dish, you can easily adjust it to suit your family’s tastes or dietary needs.
The History of Orecchiette Pasta
Orecchiette, meaning “little ears” in Italian, is a traditional pasta shape from the Puglia region of southern Italy. Its unique concave shape is designed to hold onto sauces, making it ideal for hearty, chunky ingredients like sausage and vegetables.
Historically, orecchiette was handmade by Italian grandmothers using just semolina flour, water, and salt. The pasta was shaped by pressing small pieces of dough with the thumb, creating the distinctive ear-like form. Today, while store-bought orecchiette is widely available, some Italian families still make it from scratch for special occasions.
Pairing orecchiette with broccoli and sausage is a classic Italian tradition, with variations of this dish appearing in many regions. The simplicity of the ingredients reflects the “cucina povera” (peasant cuisine) philosophy of Italian cooking using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create flavorful and satisfying meals.
Tips for Making the Perfect Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli
While this dish is simple to prepare, a few key tips will help you achieve the best results:
1. Reserve Pasta Water
Before draining the pasta, be sure to save at least 2 cups of pasta water. The starchy water helps to create a light, silky sauce that brings all the ingredients together. Start by adding ½ cup at a time, adjusting as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
2. Use Fresh Garlic
Freshly minced garlic enhances the dish’s overall flavor, giving it a rich and aromatic taste. While pre-minced garlic is convenient, fresh garlic will provide the best results.
3. Cook Pasta Al Dente
To prevent the pasta from becoming mushy, cook it al dente (slightly firm to the bite). Since it will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the sausage and broccoli, removing it from the heat 2 minutes early helps maintain the perfect texture.
4. Balance the Flavors
Since Italian sausage is already seasoned, you may not need much additional salt. However, a finishing touch of flaky sea salt, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes enhances the overall taste and adds complexity to the dish.
What to Serve with Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli
This pasta dish is a satisfying meal on its own, but if you want to serve it with a side, here are a few great options:
- Garlic Bread – A crispy, buttery slice of garlic bread complements the pasta beautifully.
- Simple Green Salad – A light salad with a lemon vinaigrette balances the richness of the sausage.
- Roasted Vegetables – Roasted cherry tomatoes, asparagus, or zucchini add extra depth and variety to the meal.
- A Glass of Wine – A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light red wine like Chianti pairs perfectly with the flavors of this dish.
Storage & Reheating Tips
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a small drizzle of olive oil or reserved pasta water to keep it from drying out. Avoid microwaving for too long, as this can make the pasta rubbery.
While pasta can be frozen, the texture may change slightly upon thawing. If you plan to freeze leftovers, store them in a freezer-safe container and use within 2-3 months for the best quality.
Conclusion:
Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli is a quick, flavorful, and comforting dish that is perfect for any night of the week. Its simple ingredient list, easy preparation, and well-balanced flavors make it a go-to meal for home cooks looking to create something delicious without much effort.
Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a casual gathering, or meal prep for the week, this recipe is sure to be a hit. With the right pasta, high-quality sausage, fresh garlic, and a touch of parmesan, you can bring a taste of Italy to your kitchen in just 30 minutes.
