Pasta With Chicken Sausage and Broccoli

Name: Pasta With Chicken Sausage and Broccoli
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4-6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 lb broccoli (or broccoli rabe); 1 lb penne pasta; 2 tablespoons water; 4 -5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 1/2 lb chicken sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices; salt; 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, toasted (optional); pecorino romano cheese (optional) or parmesan cheese (optional)

Submitted by susie cooks

"This recipe is from the Cooking Thin show on Food TV. I changed it a little bit. You could use any kind of sausage. Even my kids like this recipe! And it is low-fat! I use chicken and artichoke sausage."

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photo by Baby Kato

Ready In:: 35mins
Ingredients:: 8
Serves:: 4-6

ingredients

1 lb broccoli (or broccoli rabe)
1 lb penne pasta
2 tablespoons water
4 -5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
¹⁄₂ lb chicken sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices
salt
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, toasted (optional)
pecorino romano cheese (optional) or parmesan cheese (optional)

directions

Cut broccoli into 3 inch pieces, discarding stems.
Blanch broccoli in a large pot of boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes.
Before draining, reserve 1 cup of broccoli water.
Drain and rinse broccoli with cold water. Drain on towel.
Cook pasta according to package directions.
While pasta is cooking, place 2 tablespoons of water into cold skillet with garlic and sausage and then turn to medium low heat.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden and sausage is cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Pour reserved broccoli water into pan with sausage.
When pasta is cooked, drain it and place it back in the pot and season with salt.
Pour sausage over pasta and stir in broccoli.
Taste and adjust seasonings.
Garnish with bread crumbs and/or cheese.

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Reviews

Wonderful and easy!! I omitted the breadcrumbs and added 1 tsp. red pepper flakes, chopped sun-dried tomatoes and a splash of balsamic vinegar! I browned the sausage in 1 tbs. olive oil then added the garlic and used the broccoli water to deglaze the pan which really added to the flavor of the dish. I'll definitely be making this again! Thanks!

Vino p.o. prn
My husband and I really enjoyed this dish! I used 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 regular penne, frozen broccoli, and added a 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil at the end. I didn't include bread crumbs or cheese. It was delicious! :-)

HappyWife313
My husband and I both love this and make it regularly. He has a gluten allergy, so I use the gluten free sausage from Sam's Club and corn or rice pasta and plenty of parmesan. Very wonderful!

daytonajill
I gave this 4 stars. My family thinks is very good. I watched this made on Cooking Thin and had to make it. My family loved it. I changed it a bit. I use bowtie pasta, frozen broccoli, and Hillshires Farms or sweet italian sausage. I make it as directed otherwise. I've made this without the water and it still is just as good. My 5 yrs old newphew loves the bowtie pasta in this as he calls it "little butterflys" and will eat this with no problems. Thanks for posting a really good recipe. Christine (internetnut)

internetnut
I tried this good, healthy, easy recipe out last night....my picky husband actually liked it (except we thought i overcooked the broccoli a bit). I used whole wheat penne and it gave it kind of a sweet taste, but it was really good! Thanks!

JQ Chef Mama