I make this chicken sausage broccolini pasta on nights when dinner needs to fit between school pickup and evening sports. Just 7 simple ingredients and 30 minutes, and dinner’s ready!

Chicken Sausage and Broccolini Pasta this recipe

Love easy pasta recipes? Try creamy penne primavera, lemon sausage pasta, or lemon pasta with shrimp.

Chicken Sausage Pasta with Broccolini

I love a pasta dinner that doesn’t need a long ingredient list to taste good. This chicken sausage pasta dish is a favorite on busy nights, usually after school and before evening activities. We love whole-wheat pasta here, but use whatever pasta you have on hand.

My biggest tip is to let the sausage brown well. It’s a simple step that builds flavor without adding anything extra. With so few ingredients, just like our cajun pasta with sausage, and a quick cook time, you’ll have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time!

Most nights, I serve it on its own. If I have a little extra time, I’ll add my house salad or garlic sourdough bread.

Reasons to Love this Chicken Sausage Pasta

  • 7-ingredient chicken sausage pasta – Cooking meals with only a handful of ingredients and achieving mouthwatering flavors is always a huge win!
  • Perfect for leftovers and meal prep – Warm up leftovers for a quick lunch or divide them into individual containers for easy meals during the week! 

Sausage Broccolini Pasta Ingredients

See the recipe card for full list and quantities.

  • Chicken sausage: Use your favorite variety of cooked chicken sausage, whether it’s spicy, mild, or flavored. I like using spicy chicken sausage.
  • Broccolini: Trim the broccolini and coarsely chop it into small bite-sized pieces, discarding the tough stems. Fresh broccoli is a great substitute for broccolini.
  • Short pasta: Choose a short shape like penne, fusilli, or orecchiette. I like using whole-wheat but feel free to use what you have on hand.
ingredients for pasta with chicken sausage

How to Make Pasta with Broccolini

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drop the broccolini to blanch quickly with the pasta in the last few minutes. Drain the pasta and veggie, reserving about a cup of pasta water to create the sauce.
  2. Heat the oil in a skillet to brown the chicken sausage, then set it to the side. Add the remaining oil to saute the garlic until fragrant, stirring up all the leftover bits from the bottom of the pan. 
  3. After the garlic is fragrant, add the pasta, broccolini, and cooked sausage to the pan with half the reserved pasta water. Add your seasonings to taste.
  4. Squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and sprinkle in the parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine, and it’s ready to serve! Add a little extra parmesan on top for cheesier pasta.

Chicken Sausage and Broccolini Pasta - only 7 simple and good ingredients to make this family approved meal under 30 minutes! Chicken Sausage and Broccolini Pasta - only 7 simple and good ingredients to make this family approved meal under 30 minutes!

Broccolini Pasta Recipe Tips

  • Avoid overcooking the pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente, follow the cooking instructions on the package carefully, and check it frequently for doneness.
  • Serve immediately. For the best texture and flavor, serve the pasta immediately after tossing it with the sauce. If you need to reheat leftovers, add a splash of water or broth to the skillet to help loosen the sauce.

Sausage and Broccolini Pasta Recipe Variations

  • Add more spices and herbs. Add crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, or fresh herbs like parsley or basil to the skillet for extra flavor.
  • Add more vegetables. While broccolini adds a delicate flavor, you can substitute it with other vegetables like regular broccoli, asparagus, spinach, or snap peas.
  • Make it creamy. Add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese to the skillet for a creamier, more decadent sauce.

If you love this recipe, you may also enjoy Roasted Vegetable Pasta Primavera!

broccolini pasta

What to Serve with Broccolini Pasta?

Add a small side salad or serve with bread. Here are a few of my favorites:

Broccolini Pasta Recipe FAQs

Can I use broccoli instead of broccolini?

Yes, you can use broccoli instead of broccolini, but broccoli takes longer to cook, so adjust the cooking time. Cut into small florets, cook until tender, then add to the pasta and sausage mixture.

Can I use ground chicken sausage?

Ground chicken sausage is another option. Remove the casing and crumble it in the hot pan until it’s browned and cooked. Then, you can either remove the sausage from the pan to cook the garlic separately or push it to one side and cook the garlic alongside it.

More Pasta Dinner Recipes

Mushroom Cream Sauce Pasta

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

Shrimp Pasta Primavera

Lemon Asparagus Chicken Pasta

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Chicken Sausage and Broccolini Pasta - only 7 simple and good ingredients to make this family approved meal under 30 minutes!

Chicken Sausage and Broccolini Pasta Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
Print Recipe

Description

Chicken sausage, tender broccolini, and whole wheat pasta make a simple and healthy weeknight dinner under 30 minutes! 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 12 oz. short-cut pasta, such as penne
  • 1 lb. broccolini or broccoli trimmed and coarsely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 12 oz. cooked Italian chicken sausage (choose a flavor you like), sliced on a diagonal
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed with side of knife and chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving, if desired
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water (about 3 quarts) to a boil. Add pasta and cook for about 7 minutes. Add broccolini to the same pot, and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes longer or until the pasta and broccolini are tender. Drain pasta mixture, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
  2. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and swirl to coat. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 6 minutes, then remove from the pan.
  3. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and cook garlic until fragrant. Add cooked pasta, broccolini, and sausage to the pan. Stir in about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water and mix well adding more if needed. Taste for salt and pepper, and adjust as needed.
  4. Stir in lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

  • Pasta: Feel free to use your favorite short-cut pasta, such as rigatoni, farfalle, or orecchiette. I like using whole-wheat pasta, but any type will work.
  • Make it Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free pasta and sausage.
  • To Store Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days or cool completely and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water until hot.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 435
  • Sugar: 4.3 g
  • Sodium: 809.1 mg
  • Fat: 17.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 53.5 g
  • Protein: 21 g
  • Cholesterol: 86.4 mg

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