Do you like pork sausage? Do you like broccolini or broccoli? Do you like pasta? Well, friend, you are in luck! I’ve been tweaking and working out the most amazing sausage broccolini pasta that is easy enough for a weeknight dinner. And you can also substitute broccoli for the broccolini for a sausage broccoli pasta version if you prefer.
Where to Buy Broccolini for this Sausage Broccolini Pasta?
I buy broccolini at my local Kroger store. Occasionally, my local Walmart Supercenter will also carry broccolini but it is rather hit or miss.
What is Broccolini?
Broccolini, is also referred to as Broccolini Rabe or baby broccoli. In my Kroger, it is often found listed under “Baby Broccoli” on the sign. The stalks are longer and more slender than traditional broccoli. And the heads are more narrow with leaves or florets attached.
It is actually not a miniature version of broccoli as the name “baby broccoli” might suggest. Rather, it is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli.
Broccolini has a bit more of a bitter taste than broccoli.
How to Trim Broccolini
Since the stalks are longer on broccolini, I like to trim mine up. I cut off the bottom 1/3 or so of the stalks. And if some of the stalks are thicker than others, I slice those stalks vertically to divide them. This way all the stalks will be about the same length and about the same thickness for cooking purposes.
Substitutions for Sausage Broccolini Pasta
The great thing about this sausage broccolini pasta – other than the great taste AND the fact it is a one pot wonder – is that you can easily substitute some of the main ingredients. There is a lot of flexibility!
Substitutions
- Substitute penne or elbow macaroni for the farfalle (bowtie) pasta.
- Substitute broccoli for the broccolini.
- Substitute tomato broth for the chicken broth. (The tomato broth is our favorite! It brings a nice subtle kick to the dish.)
- Substitute a different shredded cheese for the parmesan if you don’t have any parmesan.
We buy the Knorr tomato broth in the Hispanic foods section at Walmart. I use it in so many of my favorite recipes!
Making Bowtie Pasta with Sausage and Broccolini
As you will see in the recipe card below, the steps for making this bowtie pasta with sausage and broccolini is pretty straightforward.
In fact, I dump every single thing into the one pot – including the tomato broth powder. (Nope, I don’t even prepare the broth separately as I am lazy like that. Of course, you can prepare the broth as you normally do. For me, I typically drop the spoonful of broth granules into the hot liquid of my one-pot meals and it dissolves just fine that way. Note, this is not the instructional method listed on the broth packaging.)
Everything just gets added into the pot – one item right after the other until this delicious one pot sausage broccolini pasta is ready!
One Pot Sausage Broccolini Pasta
Ingredients
- ½ cup Onion chopped
- 1 lb Ground pork sausage Jimmy Dean mild is the one we use
- ¼ tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Red pepper flakes optional
- 4 cups Broth chicken broth or tomato broth (our favorite)
- 2 cups Heavy cream about one pint
- 12 oz Bowtie pasta
- 1 bundle Broccolini stalks trimmed (can be substituted with broccoli) – about 3 cups
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
Making Sausage Pasta with Broccolini in One Pot
- In large pot or pan with high sides, brown onion, ground pork, red pepper flakes, and garlic over medium heat.
- Drain and return sausage to pan.
- Add broth and cream and bring to boil.
- Add pasta and cook uncovered for 10 minutes over medium heat.
- Add broccolini and cook uncovered another 10 minutes.
- Pasta is ready to serve when the liquid has thickened to more of a sauce consistency and pasta is cooked through.
- Stir parmesan cheese into sauce and cook for one minute longer.
- Garnish with a bit more parmesan and serve pasta with bread and salad.
Nutrition
Enjoy this pasta with sausage and broccolini along with a slice of crusty French bread and a side salad!
If You Like this Sausage Pasta with Broccoli Rabe, Visit Our Other Pasta Recipes
Southwest Pasta with Black Beans and Ground Beef
Chicken Soup with Amish Noodles
Black Eye Pea Soup with Tortellini and Sausage
Sausage and Squash Skillet with Orzo
Tallerine (Beef Noodle Casserole)
Sausage Tortellini Soup with Spinach
Salsa Verde Macaroni Beef Skillet
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