Rigatoni Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli
Rigatoni Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli is an easy weeknight meal, but impressive enough for a special occasion as well. This healthier pasta dish includes broccoli florets and a lean turkey sausage, with a simple sauce made with freshly grated parmesan. Make this one for your family soon!
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 525kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound turkey sausage - removed from casings
- 8 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 6 oz. freshly grated parmesan cheese - or about 2 cups
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
- 2 cups reserved pasta water
- red pepper flakes - to serve
- extra freshly ground black pepper - to serve
- extra parmesan cheese - to serve
Instructions
- PREP. Prepare broccoli by trimming the stems off, and cutting into bite sized pieces. Mince the garlic. Grate the cheese into a measuring cup.
- Remove the turkey sausage from the casings. Pan-fry in a skillet on the stove top until cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. Pour in a collander and drain the grease off.
- In a large stock pot, bring water to a boil. Pour the rigatoni pasta in the pot, along with a good amount of salt. (Salt flavors the pasta AND the pasta water - which will be used later.) Add the broccoli and wait for it to continue to boil. Reduce heat to medium, making sure the water is bubbling (but not too much). Cook until the pasta is al dente.
- Remove the pan from the heat, and pour into a collander, making sure to reserve some of the pasta water. I usually set a bowl under the collander so I don't forget!
- Place the stock pot back on the stove at medium heat. Add the oil and butter, and stir until melted. Add the garlic, and stir for about a minute. Then add a cup of pasta water and simmer for a couple of minutes. Add some black pepper and then gradually add in some of the freshly grated parmesan cheese, whisking the entire time. Continue whisking until all of the parmesan cheese has been added.
- Remove the pot from the heat, and add the pasta, broccoli, and turkey sausage. Stir well to combine, and add more pasta water if needed to get everything nice and smooth. Test the seasonings. and add red pepper flakes, and more salt and pepper if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 525kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 761mg | Potassium: 588mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 953IU | Vitamin C: 83mg | Calcium: 322mg | Iron: 2mg