pasta broccoli with sausage
This recipe is a throw back to my childhood, but more importantly, if you were raised in an Italian family like I was, simple pasta dishes with vegetable were a staple. It most likely began as a meal that families could afford and at the same time, nutritious too.
It usually began with sautéd garlic in olive oil, any veggie on hand, a splash of tomato and homemade broth and if you were lucky, a sprinkle of Romano cheese. This was the best fast food. I updated it a bit and added a protein, but I stayed true to what my Great Grandmother and Grandmother was feeding their families many years ago.
I can’t leave this part out and you may have trouble believing me, but my Italian family didn’t cook with garlic. Both my Mom & Dad live sans garlic, they say that is why they married each other, but it is true. My Mom is an amazing cook and baker and it is just something we never missed. I am leaving it out of the recipe below and use an onion instead, but feel free to add garlic if you are a lover.
In my family, we fight about who can make it as close to Grandma Lucy’s, and all of us think it is her or him! We have a lot of male cooks in this family and I really do think we have kept the tradition alive, but mine really is the best.
If you are looking to put dinner on the table in lightning speed, this is the recipe for you. I chose sausage because it has so much flavor, but you can also use ground beef or turkey, just make sure you adjust the spices for more flavor. A hot sausage is also great if your family likes heat.
Get cooking, this really is a 20 minute meal
INGREDIENTS
4-6 links Italian sausage (mild or hot)
2 bags frozen organic broccoli florets
1/2 white onion
2 Tbs. organic tomato paste
6 cups homemade or store bought bone broth (recipe here)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional)
1 pound pasta (I used gluten free elbow pasta)
DIRECTIONS
Boil a large, salted pot of water and cook pasta al dente according to package directions.
In a deep skillet over meduim-high heat, sauté chopped onion until translucent.
Remove sausage from casing, add to skillet cook, stirring often, until it's browned and mostly cooked through (about 8-10 minutes).
Reduce the heat to medium and add the broccoli. Cover the pan and cook for 4 minutes.
Add in broth, ensuring the brown bits at the bottom of the pan are scraped into the sauce.
Add tomato paste and cook until sauce is a light read color and ingredients are cooked through.
Season with salt & pepper and red pepper flakes as needed. Once the pasta is done, drain it and toss it with the sauce.
Top with Romano cheese
Serve Immediately