Easy Dinner Using Sausage and Broccoli

A simple, satisfying combination that comes together in about 30 minutes.

Weeknight dinners don't need to be complicated. Sausage brings rich, savory depth to any plate, while broccoli adds texture and a quiet nutritional backbone. When paired with pasta and peppers, these four ingredients create something genuinely greater than the sum of their parts—the kind of meal that feels both nourishing and indulgent at once.

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Sausage, Broccoli and Pepper Pasta

Total Time: 25 minutes • Serves: 4

A quick and satisfying one-pan pasta featuring Italian sausage, roasted broccoli, and bell peppers tossed with garlic and herbs. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
8 oz pasta
3 cups broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup pasta water (reserved)
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
In a large skillet, brown the sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add peppers and broccoli, cooking for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
Return sausage to the skillet, add cooked pasta, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Toss well.
Add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Quick Variations

Lighter Option

Swap pasta for zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, and choose a lean chicken sausage instead. You'll keep all the flavor while trimming calories and carbs.

Hearty Option

Use a full-fat pork sausage and double the pasta portion, then finish with a generous handful of grated cheese and a drizzle of good olive oil for richness.

Vegetarian or Flexible Option

Replace sausage with crumbled tempeh or a plant-based sausage alternative. The broccoli, peppers, and pasta carry enough substance to stand on their own.

Simple Substitutions

Protein Substitutes

Chicken sausage (milder, leaner)
Ground beef or pork
Italian turkey sausage
Smoked kielbasa (pre-cooked)
Plant-based sausage
Pancetta or guanciale for richness

Carb Substitutes

Rice or orzo
Polenta
Farro
Zucchini noodles
Cauliflower rice
Creamy mashed potatoes

Flavor Boosters

Red pepper flakes for heat
Fresh garlic and lemon zest
Balsamic vinegar for tanginess
Fresh herbs like basil or parsley
Grated Parmesan or Pecorino
A splash of white wine or broth

Common Questions

How do I prevent the broccoli from turning mushy?

Add it toward the end of cooking, or roast it separately until just tender-crisp, then toss everything together. This keeps it from overcooking while the other components finish.

Can I prep any of these ingredients ahead?

Absolutely. Chop the broccoli and peppers the night before, and brown the sausage a few hours early. Reheat gently before combining with fresh pasta.

What's the best way to add flavor without extra time?

Season the sausage well as it cooks, and finish the whole dish with flaky salt, cracked pepper, and fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving.