Orecchiette Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Step 2

Meanwhile heat a large nonstick skillet and brown the sausage over medium-high, breaking it up as it cooks with a wooden spoon until browned, 5 to 7 minutes; remove from heat.

Step 3

When the water boils, add the pasta and bring back to a boil, when the water is boiling, add broccoli and cook according to pasta instructions for al dente.

Step 4

When pasta is almost done cooking, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta and broccoli.

Step 5

Return the pot to the stove and set heat to high; add 1 tbsp olive oil, when hot, add garlic. Cook until golden, about 1 minute, reduce flame to low and add pasta back to the pot with the sausage.

Step 6

Mix well, add remaining olive oil, grated cheese, salt and pepper to taste mixing well and smashing any large pieces of broccoli to break up.

Step 7

Add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water and mix well adding more if needed.

Step 8

Serve in pasta bowls with additional grated cheese on the side, if desired.