Creamy, comforting and oh-so-delicious, this sausage and broccoli pasta is one of those easy weeknight dinners you’ll find yourself making again and again.
It came about on one of those classic British evenings where the weather is doing its absolute worst. Wind battering the windows, rain coming sideways… and all I wanted was a big bowl of cosy Italian pasta. Normally I would have happily wandered down to my favourite local Italian restaurant for something suitably comforting, but on this particular evening I decided to stay warm indoors and make my own version instead.
And honestly? I’m so glad I did!
Sausage and broccoli are a classic pairing in Italian cooking. The rich, savoury sausage balances beautifully with the freshness of the broccoli, and when you add a little cream and a generous handful of Parmesan you end up with something seriously delicious.
The result is a simple but incredibly satisfying pasta dish that feels indulgent enough for a treat, but is easy enough to make on a busy weeknight.
If you’re looking for more cosy pasta inspiration, don’t forget to explore my full collection of easy weeknight pasta recipes over on the site too.
Why You’ll Love This Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
There are so many reasons this recipe is worth adding to your regular dinner rotation!
- It’s quick. Dinner is on the table in about 30 minutes, which makes it ideal for busy evenings.
- It’s comforting but not heavy. The broccoli keeps things fresh and vibrant, balancing the richness of the sausage and cream.
- It’s budget friendly. You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to make something really delicious.
- It’s adaptable. Swap the pasta shape, use different sausages, or add chilli flakes if you like a bit of heat.
And perhaps most importantly… it tastes like something you’d order in a cosy Italian restaurant, but made right in your own kitchen!
The Ingredients
This recipe uses simple ingredients, but each one brings something important to the dish.
- Onion and garlic – The flavour base of the sauce. Plenty of onion and garlic creates a lovely savoury depth.
- Sausages – Use good quality pork sausages if you can. Italian-style sausages work particularly well, but any well-seasoned pork sausages will do the job beautifully.
- Broccoli – A whole head of broccoli gives both texture and freshness. Don’t throw away the stalk! Finely chopped broccoli stalk adds loads of flavour and reduces waste.
- White wine – Used to deglaze the pan and add depth to the sauce. If you prefer not to cook with wine, simply swap it for water or a splash of stock.
- Cream – Double cream gives the sauce its silky, comforting texture.
- Parmesan – Adds saltiness and richness. A generous handful makes all the difference.
- Pasta – Any short pasta shape works well here. Spirali, fusilli or penne are all great choices because the sauce clings to them nicely.
How to Make Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
1. Cook the pasta and start the flavour base
Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta.
Heat the olive oil in a large pan and add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for a couple of minutes.
2. Cook the sausage
Remove the sausage meat from the skins and break it into small chunks directly into the pan. Cook for around 7–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is nicely browned.
After a few minutes of cooking, add the finely chopped broccoli stalk so it softens and absorbs all that lovely sausage flavour.
3. Deglaze the pan
Pour in the white wine and allow it to bubble away for a few minutes.
This lifts all the flavour from the bottom of the pan and adds a delicious richness to the sauce.
4. Add the broccoli
Add the broccoli florets along with about 100ml of water.
Cook for a couple of minutes until the broccoli is bright green and just tender.
5. Finish the creamy sauce
Stir in the cream and allow the sauce to gently bubble for a minute or two.
Add the cooked pasta and grated Parmesan, then toss everything together until beautifully coated.
If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Variations You Can Try
This recipe is very flexible, so feel free to experiment.
- Add chilli flakes – For a gentle kick of heat.
- Use tenderstem broccoli – This works beautifully and cooks very quickly.
- Add lemon zest – A little lemon zest brightens the whole dish.
- Try wholemeal pasta – For a slightly nuttier flavour.
Tips for the Best Sausage Pasta
A few little tricks make this dish even better.
- Use good sausages – The sausage is the main flavour of the dish, so quality makes a difference.
- Don’t overcook the broccoli – It should stay bright green and slightly crisp for the best texture.
- Save pasta water – The starch in pasta water helps create a beautifully silky sauce.
- Grate Parmesan fresh – Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better than the pre-grated kind.
Creamy Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 5 sausages
- 1 head of broccoli
- 100 ml white wine
- 150 ml double cream
- 80 grams parmesan grated
- 300 grams spirali pasta
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add the pasta and cook according to packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the peeled and chopped onion and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, until starting to soften.
- Break the sausages into small pieces with your hands. Add to the pan, and cook for a further 7-8 minutes, stirring regularly, until cooked. Finely chop the stem of the broccoli and add to the pan after 3 minutes have passed.
- Tip in the wine and allow to reduce for 3-4 minutes, before adding the broccoli florets and 100ml water. Allow to soften – this will only take a minute or two – then add the cream.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the pasta and Parmesan. Season according to taste with salt and pepper.
Video
Notes
Storage and Leftovers
Leftover sausage and broccoli pasta keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce. You can freeze the sauce (before adding pasta) for up to 3 months.More Easy Weeknight Pasta Recipes
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You can also browse all my easy weeknight dinner recipes for more simple, comforting meals.
