Sausage Orecchiette and Broccoli in a Cream Sauce

 

I’m not going to lie, this recipe was attractive to me because of the noodles. The little bowl shaped pasta is irresistible. I envisioned a delicious sauce sitting in the beds of those  little pasta bowls, ready to tantalize my taste buds with their yumminess. And let me tell you, this recipe does not disappoint.

 

 

The sausage adds a wonderful layer of flavor. I used a sweet sausage for my kiddos, but it would taste amazing with a spice sausage as well. I did add red pepper flakes, but if you use the spicy sausage, you might taste it first. It all depends on how hot you like it. 

 

 

The other nice thing is that this is a quick meal. It doesn’t take long to put together the ingredients and have a tasty meal for the family. You just can’t go wrong with a great pasta dish for dinner!

 

Sausage Orecchiette and Broccoli in a Cream Sauce

 

3 sausage links, casings removed (mild, sweet, or hot)

1 Tbs EVOO

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 Tbs butter

2 Tbs all purpose flour

2 c milk (whole or 2%)

2 Tbs parmesan cheese, grated

1 12oz box orecchiette pasta, cooked to al dente

1 c reserved pasta water

10 oz broccoli, frozen or fresh, cooked and drained

Red pepper flakes, optional

 

Boil the pasta, following the directions on the package. Drain, reserving 1 cup of water, and set aside. Warm a skillet to med-high. Add the EVOO and brown the sausage. Once cooked, lower the heat to med-low and add the minced garlic. Cook for another minute, stirring frequently.

 

Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the flour and mix well. Add the milk and parm cheese to the skillet. Stir as the liquid heats, scraping any bits off the bottom of the skillet. Once the sauce reaches a simmer, cover the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes. If it starts to get too hot, turn it down to keep it at a simmer.

 

Cook the broccoli and add it to the sauce. Next, add the pasta and about ¼ c reserved water to help thin out the sauce. Stir together and add more water if the sauce still seems too thick. Add salt if needed, and sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top. Serve immediately.