Sausage, Broccoli & Spinach Pasta Skillet
Italian-inspired skillet that uses sausage, broccoli, spinach, and elbow pasta. Brightened with garlic, lemon, and a touch of cream for creamy coats, finished with red pepper flakes for a gentle kick. Easy, weeknight-friendly and pantry-friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
Servings:
2 servings
(originally 4 servings)Ingredients(scaled)
- ½ lb Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
- 1 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cups fresh spinach, packed
- 4 oz elbow pasta
- 1 ½ cloves garlic, minced
- ½ 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ½ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water 1 minute less than package directions; drain and reserve 1/2 cup cooking water.
- In a large skillet, crumble and brown sausage in 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat, 6–8 minutes. Break into small pieces and remove excess fat.
- Add remaining oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes; sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in broccoli; cook 3–4 minutes until bright and tender-crisp.
- Return sausage, add cream, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper; simmer 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Toss in cooked pasta and spinach; add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce; cook 1–2 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce coats pasta.
- Preheat the oven and bake until golden and set; a toothpick should come out clean.
Chef’s Pro Tips
- Brown sausage well for deeper flavor.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of crusty bread and a light green salad for balance.
Storage Instructions
Cool completely; store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water.
Nutritional Estimates
Per serving · 2 servings total
| calories | 520 |
|---|---|
| protein | 28 |
| carbohydrates | 52 |
| fat | 22 |
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