Orecchiette with Hot Italian Sausage & Broccoli – Easy Dinner Recipe

Orecchiette with Hot Italian Sausage & Broccoli

This is one of those meals that hits the table and gets zero complaints. It’s quick, simple, and packs bold flavor from the hot Italian sausage. Honestly, this has become a family favorite – great for dinner, meal prep lunches, or doubling up for easy leftovers throughout the week. It’s just that good.

Ingredients

• 1 large head broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 5-6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 10 oz orecchiette pasta (regular or whole wheat)
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prep the broccoli.
   Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Set aside.
2. Blanch the broccoli.
   Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add broccoli and blanch for about 1.5 – 2 minutes. Drain and set aside in a colander.
3. Cook the pasta.
   Refill the pot with water, add a good amount of salt, and bring back to a boil. Add orecchiette and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water just in case, then drain.
4. Brown the sausage.
   While pasta cooks, heat a large deep sauté pan over medium heat. Add sausage and break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until fully browned and cooked through. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
5. Sauté the garlic and broccoli.
   Increase heat to medium-high. In the same pan, add olive oil. Once hot, add chopped garlic and cook until golden and fragrant (don’t let it burn). Add broccoli to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and toss well to coat in the garlic oil. Cook for about a minute.
6. Combine everything.
   Return the cooked sausage to the pan and mix with the broccoli. Add in the drained pasta and toss to combine. Pour in chicken broth, add grated Parmesan, and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes if you like some extra heat.
7. Finish and serve.
   Stir for about 30–60 seconds until everything is mixed well and the pasta is coated in the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve in a large pasta dish or divide between bowls. Top with additional grated cheese if desired.

Notes

• This dish is perfect for meal prep and reheats beautifully.
• Double it up if you want to feed a crowd or have easy lunches ready for the week.