Sausage Pasta

The easiest, most satisfying pasta you’ll ever make. Hot Italian sausage, broccolini, and a little magic in every bite.

In my family, this is sausage pasta. Nothing fancy, no over-the-top name—just a dish that always delivers. It’s one of those recipes I could probably make in my sleep at this point because I’ve cooked it so many times. Why? Because it’s the ultimate “I need dinner now” meal. The hot Italian sausage brings the spice, the broccolini keeps things just barely virtuous, and the pasta does what pasta does best—comforts you in every bite.

If you’ve ever stepped foot into my apartment, you’ve had this dish. Maybe it was after a long day, maybe we cracked open a bottle of wine (or three), but I promise, you loved it. It’s ridiculously simple, incredibly satisfying, and forever a staple in my kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chicken stock

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 10 oz pasta (like orecchiette)

• 1 lb hot Italian pork sausage, casings removed

• 1 medium onion or 1 large shallot, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 bunches broccolini, chopped into ½-inch pieces

• 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

• Zest and juice of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp cold butter, cut into small cubes

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Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta & Broccolini

   • Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a large pot. Add a generous pinch of salt (not as much as if using water, but enough to make it flavorful).

   • Add the pasta and cook until just shy of al dente (about 3 minutes less than package instructions).

   • With 1 minute left, toss the broccolini into the pot to blanch. Reserve 1½ cups of the pasta water, then drain. Set the pasta and broccolini aside in a medium bowl.

2. Cook the Sausage

   • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6 minutes.

3. Sauté Aromatics

   • Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4. Combine Everything

   • Add the drained pasta and broccolini to the skillet. Stir to combine.

   • In ½-cup increments, stir in the reserved pasta water, scraping up the browned bits from the skillet as you go. Cook until the mixture is glossy and coated, adding more pasta water if needed.

5. Finish the Dish

   • Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter until everything is well incorporated and the pasta is creamy.

   • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

6. Serve

   • Plate the pasta and sprinkle with extra Parmesan before serving. Enjoy!