Sausage, Broccoli & Chilli Pasta Recipe
A vibrant and hearty Sausage, Broccoli & Chilli Pasta combining spicy pork sausagemeat with tender broccoli and rigatoni, finished with creamy crème fraîche and zesty lemon for a flavorful, satisfying meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Vegetables
- 300g rigatoni
- 330g long-stemmed broccoli, trimmed or halved if stems are large
Sauce & Seasoning
- 6 pork sausages, sausagemeat squeezed from skins
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tbsp parsley, leaves picked and finely chopped, stems finely chopped
- 3 tbsp crème fraîche
- ½ lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to the package instructions. Add the broccoli during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking so that it becomes just tender. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving a mugful of the cooking water.
- Cook the Sausagemeat: Meanwhile, place the sausagemeat and olive oil in a cold frying pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently for 6-8 minutes until the fat renders and the meat turns golden and crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat to a bowl, leaving the oil in the pan.
- Flavor the Pan: Add the chilli flakes, crushed garlic, and parsley stems to the pan. Cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until aromatic.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the lemon zest, then return the cooked sausagemeat to the pan. Toss in the drained pasta and broccoli.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir through the crème fraîche and lemon juice along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Cook for another minute until the sauce coats all the ingredients and everything is heated through.
- Serve: Divide the pasta into bowls and top with the finely sliced red chilli for a fresh, spicy finish.
Notes
- You can substitute pork sausages with chicken or turkey sausages for a leaner option.
- Adjust the amount of chilli flakes and fresh chilli to suit your spice preference.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or oregano as alternatives to parsley for a different flavor profile.
- This dish pairs well with a green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Keywords: sausage pasta, broccoli pasta, spicy pasta, rigatoni recipe, quick dinner, Italian pasta recipe
