The Ultimate Creamy Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Pasta (Easy One-Pan Meal!)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect weeknight dinner? One that’s packed with savory flavor, loaded with veggies, comes together in about 30 minutes, and leaves you with minimal cleanup? This incredible Sausage and Broccoli Pasta is the delicious answer you’ve been looking for.

This is your ultimate guide to creating a hearty, satisfying, and family-friendly pasta dish that is sure to become a new staple in your dinner rotation. We’ll show you how to combine savory turkey sausage, crisp-tender broccoli, and sweet peppers with pasta in a light, flavorful pan sauce. It’s a complete and balanced meal all made in a single skillet.

What makes this recipe so special is its incredible ease and the way it builds a delicious sauce right in the pan as you cook. This isn’t just another pasta toss; it’s a smart, efficient, and incredibly flavorful way to get dinner on the table. This Sausage and Broccoli Pasta is a true weeknight hero.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Magic of a True One-Pot Pasta

While many recipes might claim to be “one-pot,” they often require you to cook the pasta separately. This guide includes a true one-pot method that is an absolute game-changer for weeknight cooking and makes the best possible Sausage and Broccoli Pasta.

• Maximum Flavor: By cooking the uncooked pasta directly in the skillet with the chicken broth and the juices from the sausage and vegetables, the pasta absorbs all of that incredible flavor. It doesn’t just get coated in sauce; it becomes infused with it.
• A Creamier Sauce: As the pasta cooks, it releases natural starches into the liquid. This works as a self-thickener, creating a light yet creamy sauce that perfectly clings to every piece of pasta and vegetable—no heavy cream needed (though you can add it for extra decadence!).
• Less Cleanup: This is the ultimate reward on a busy night! Everything cooks in one large skillet, meaning only one main pan to wash.

The Key Ingredients for Your Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

This recipe for Sausage and Broccoli Pasta uses a handful of simple, wholesome, and flavor-packed ingredients.

• Turkey Sausage: The recipe calls for turkey sausage, which is a fantastic lean protein choice. You can use sweet, mild, or hot Italian-style turkey sausage. The key is to remove the meat from the casings and crumble it, allowing it to brown beautifully and mix throughout the dish like ground meat.
• The Vegetables: A classic, colorful combination of chopped onion, sliced red bell pepper for sweetness, and bright green broccoli florets for a fresh, healthy crunch.
• The Aromatics: Freshly minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes provide the aromatic, savory background heat for the dish.
• Rigatoni Pasta: The large, ridged tubes of rigatoni are perfect for catching the chunky sauce and small pieces of sausage and broccoli. Any short pasta shape like penne, fusilli, or orecchiette would also work wonderfully.
• Chicken Stock: This is used as the cooking liquid for the pasta in our one-pot version, infusing every bite with savory flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your One-Pot Pasta

This easy meal comes together in one skillet. For the best flavor and easiest cleanup, we highly recommend the true one-pot method below.

(The Ultimate One-Pot Method)

1. Brown the Sausage: If using uncooked turkey sausage, remove the meat from the casings. Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled sausage meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a tablespoon of olive oil if the pan seems dry. Add the chopped onion and sliced red pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
3. Build the One-Pot Meal: To the skillet with the vegetables, add the uncooked rigatoni pasta, the 3/4 cups of chicken stock, and an additional 3 cups of water (or enough to just cover the pasta). Stir everything together.
4. Simmer and Cook Pasta: Bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is almost al dente.
5. Steam the Broccoli: Uncover the skillet and scatter the broccoli florets over the top of the pasta. Place the lid back on and let the broccoli steam until it is tender-crisp, about 3-5 more minutes. By this time, the pasta should be perfectly cooked.
6. Combine and Serve: Stir the cooked sausage back into the skillet. If you’d like an extra touch of richness, now is the time to stir in a splash of heavy cream or a handful of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together. Your one-pot Sausage and Broccoli Pasta is ready!

(Classic Two-Pot Method – As Written in Prompt)

1. Cook Pasta: Cook 10 ounces of rigatoni in a separate pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Sauté and Simmer: Follow steps 1 and 2 from the one-pot method. After the vegetables are soft, add the 3/4 cup of chicken stock and bring it to a simmer. Add the broccoli florets, cover, and steam until tender.
3. Combine & Toss: Add the cooked pasta and the cooked sausage back into the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined and heated through.

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Storage and Reheating

Leftover Sausage and Broccoli Pasta is fantastic for lunch the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot.

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Conclusion: Your New Weeknight Go-To

This Sausage and Broccoli Pasta is the perfect solution for busy weeknights. It’s a hearty, healthy, and incredibly flavorful meal that the whole family will adore. The one-pan method makes it a true kitchen hero, delivering a delicious, satisfying dinner with minimal stress and cleanup. This is a recipe you’ll come back to time and time again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)