Go Back

Pasta (or not) with Chicken Sausage with Broccolini

A comforting pasta dish that's light on the pasta.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: broccoli, healthy, pasta
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 links Italian style chicken sausage (Trader Joes and Isernos both have a spicy and a sweet Italian chicken sausage. I love the spicy one.)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bunch broccolini (baby broccoli), chopped in 1 inch pieces
  • 1 cup cannelini beans (Garbanzo beans also work great in this dish.)
  • 3 TBSP olive oil (I use 1 TBSP of oil from a jar of Mama Lil's spicy peppers, and 2 TBSP of regular olive oil.)
  • 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper
  • 3 handfuls whole wheat or regular penne pasta
  • shaved parmaggiano reggiano to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a small saucepan of salted water to a boil and cook pasta to al dente according to package directions.
  • Heat 1 TBSP of olive oil in a medium skillet to medium heat.
  • Squeeze sausage out of casings into skillet and cook for ~4 minutes until mostly browned.
  • Add broccoli, garlic, and crushed red pepper to skillet and cook for ~1 minute until garlic is staring to brown.
  • Add 1/2 cup of pasta water and bouillon to skillet and stir to distribute.  Then add beans, cover and turn heat to low.
  • When pasta is al dente, lightly drain it add it to the skillet and stir to combine.  Remove from heat and stir in remaining 2 TBSP of olive oil.
  • Garnish with shaved parm and additional olive oil if desired.