Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli

8 Freestyle Points 284 Calories
Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli is one of my favorite weeknight pasta dishes, a real crowd-pleaser, and my husband even goes back for seconds. This is the only way I can get Madison to eat broccoli, I cook the pasta and broccoli at the same time all in the same pot, which creates a pesto-like broccoli sauce the kids can't pick out (trust me, it's so good!).
Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli is one of my favorite weeknight pasta dishes, a real crowd-pleaser, and my husband even goes back for seconds. This is the only way I can get Madison to eat broccoli, I cook the pasta and broccoli at the same time all in the same pot, which creates a pesto-like broccoli sauce the kids can’t pick out (trust me, it’s so good!).

Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli – an easy kid-friendly dinner ready in less than 20 minutes!
But what I really love about this dish is that it’s ready in less than 20 minutes, and makes enough for leftovers (an easy lunch for Madison which I pack in her thermos) I personally like to add some crushed red pepper flakes to my bowl, up to you!
Here’s a video to shot you just how easy this dish is!

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Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli

8 Freestyle Points 284 calories

Total Time: 20 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli is one of my favorite weeknight pasta dishes, a real crowd-pleaser, and my husband even goes back for seconds. This is the only way I can get Madison to eat broccoli, I cook the pasta and broccoli at the same time all in the same pot, which creates a pesto-like broccoli sauce the kids can’t pick out (trust me, it’s so good!).

Ingredients:

  • 14 oz package Italian chicken sausage, casing removed
  • 12 oz uncooked pasta (or brown rice or quinoa pasta for gluten-free)
  • 6 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets, no stems (16 oz)
  • 5 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Meanwhile heat a large nonstick skillet and brown the sausage over medium-high, breaking it up as it cooks with a wooden spoon until browned, 5 to 7 minutes; remove from heat.
  3. When the water boils, add the pasta and bring back to a boil, when the water is boiling, add broccoli and cook according to pasta instructions for al dente.
  4. When pasta is almost done cooking, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta and broccoli.
  5. Return the pot to the stove and set heat to high; add 1 tbsp olive oil, when hot, add garlic. Cook until golden, about 1 minute, reduce flame to low and add pasta back to the pot with the sausage.
  6. Mix well, add remaining olive oil, grated cheese, salt and pepper to taste mixing well and smashing any large pieces of broccoli to break up.
  7. Add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water and mix well adding more if needed.
  8. Serve in pasta bowls with additional grated cheese on the side, if desired.

Nutrition Information

Yield: 8 servings, Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups

  • Amount Per Serving:
  • Freestyle Points: 8
  • Points +: 8
  • Calories: 284 calories
  • Total Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: g
  • Cholesterol: 2mg
  • Sodium: 321mg
  • Carbohydrates: 37g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Protein: 17g
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Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli – an EASY, family-friendly meal ready in less than 20 minutes!
8 PP 8 SP Chicken Recipes Italian Inspired Recipes Pasta Recipes Recipes Under $10
posted July 21, 2017 by Gina
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