Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli

Introduction

Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli is a classic Italian dish that delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. The hearty sausage infuses the pasta with savory depth while the broccoli adds vibrant color and tender crunch. This wholesome and filling meal is quick enough for busy weeknights yet refined enough to impress guests, making it a staple for anyone seeking maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

Deliciously Unique Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli

This recipe shines because the orecchiette pasta—its name means “little ears”—perfectly cradles bits of sausage and tender broccoli, ensuring every bite delivers a little of everything. The sausage browns beautifully, creating flavorful caramelized bits, while garlic and red pepper flakes introduce a gentle heat. Finished with a touch of olive oil and parmesan, you’ll find few pasta dishes as comforting and satisfying.

Preparing the Perfect Sausage and Broccoli Sauce

The key to this sauce lies in choosing high-quality Italian sausage, either spicy or sweet depending on your preference. Sauté the sausage until deeply browned and crumbled, then add garlic and a hint of red pepper flakes for aroma and complexity. Blanching the broccoli in the pasta water ensures tenderness without losing its vibrant color—then it’s all tossed together for a delicious, cohesive finish.

Assembling Your Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli

While the pasta cooks, prepare your sausage and broccoli mixture. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving some cooking water, then toss everything together. Add a splash of reserved water to loosen the sauce, letting it cling to the orecchiette for the perfect consistency. Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a generous shower of freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli

This dish stands alone as a satisfying main course, but it also pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad and crusty Italian bread. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon for brightness, and garnish with additional chili flakes or parmesan for an extra touch of flavor.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 generous servings. Each portion contains about 500-600 calories, depending on the amount of cheese and sausage used. It’s a well-balanced, protein-packed meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli (Recap)

The ultimate comfort food, this recipe mixes the tender bite of orecchiette with zesty sausage and crisp broccoli for layers of flavor and texture. Its simplicity and satisfying taste make it a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette and cook according to the package directions. About 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add the remaining olive oil, sliced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the sausage. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is golden and fragrant.
4. Add the drained orecchiette and broccoli to the skillet. Toss well to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
5. Turn off the heat. Stir in parmesan cheese, season with salt and black pepper, and add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if you like.

Weekly Meal Planning

Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli is a smart choice for batch cooking or meal prepping for the week—leftovers reheat well for a delicious, satisfying lunch. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to easily organize your weekly meals and create shopping lists that automatically combine ingredients for all your planned recipes.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections
• Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
• Makes weekly meal prep more efficient and organized

Pro tip: When adding several pasta dishes or meals featuring sausage, schedule your recipes to ensure your shopping list totals everything you need, reducing food waste and hassle.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes