Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli: A Flavorful Italian Delight

Cavatelli with broccoli and sausage is a hearty and flavorful Italian-American dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering. This recipe combines the nutty flavor of cavatelli pasta with the slightly bitter taste of broccoli and the savory goodness of Italian sausage. The dish is then brought together by a light and creamy sauce, often made with garlic, olive oil, and a touch of Parmesan cheese. It’s a comforting and satisfying meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table.

This particular recipe offers a detailed guide to creating the perfect Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli, ensuring a balanced blend of flavors and textures. We’ll walk you through each step, from preparing the ingredients to perfecting the sauce, so you can recreate this classic dish in your own kitchen.

## Why This Recipe Works

* **Flavor Combination:** The combination of broccoli, sausage, and cavatelli is a classic for a reason. The bitterness of the broccoli is balanced by the richness of the sausage and the slightly nutty flavor of the cavatelli pasta.
* **Simple Ingredients:** This recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize this recipe to your liking. Add other vegetables, such as bell peppers or mushrooms, or use different types of sausage, such as chicken or turkey sausage.
* **One-Pot Option:** By cooking the pasta directly in the sauce, you can create a one-pot meal that’s easy to clean up.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes it a great option for busy weeknights.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a complete list of everything you’ll need to make this delicious Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli:

* **Pasta:** 1 pound of cavatelli pasta (fresh or dried). Cavatelli’s shape is perfect for catching the sauce and the small florets of broccoli.
* **Sausage:** 1 pound of Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot, depending on your preference). Remove the sausage from its casings for easier browning.
* **Broccoli:** 1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets. Make sure the florets are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
* **Garlic:** 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced. Garlic is essential for the flavor of the sauce.
* **Olive Oil:** ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** ¼ teaspoon (or more, to taste) of red pepper flakes. Red pepper flakes add a touch of heat to the dish.
* **Chicken Broth:** 1 cup of chicken broth. Chicken broth helps to create a light and flavorful sauce.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving. Parmesan cheese adds a salty and savory flavor to the dish.
* **Salt and Black Pepper:** To taste. Seasoning is key to bringing out the flavors of the ingredients.
* **Optional Ingredients:**
* White Wine: ½ cup of dry white wine (such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc). White wine adds acidity and complexity to the sauce.
* Heavy Cream: ¼ cup of heavy cream. Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
* Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice brightens up the flavors of the dish.
* Breadcrumbs: Toasted breadcrumbs for topping.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli:

### 1. Prepare the Ingredients

* **Broccoli:** Wash the broccoli and cut it into small florets. Set aside.
* **Sausage:** Remove the sausage from its casings and crumble it into a bowl.
* **Garlic:** Mince the garlic cloves.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** Grate the Parmesan cheese.

### 2. Cook the Sausage

* Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
* Add the crumbled sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
* Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

### 3. Sauté the Garlic and Broccoli

* Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
* Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are bright green and slightly tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. If the broccoli starts to stick to the pan, add a tablespoon or two of water.
* If using white wine, add it to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.

### 4. Combine the Ingredients

* Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the broccoli.
* Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
* Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

### 5. Cook the Pasta

* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
* Add the cavatelli pasta and cook according to package directions, until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
*Alternatively, for a one-pot method, add the dry cavatelli directly to the skillet with the broccoli and sausage. Add enough chicken broth (or a combination of chicken broth and water) to cover the pasta. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through and the liquid has been absorbed, about 15-20 minutes. You may need to add more liquid if the pasta is drying out.*

### 6. Finish the Dish

* Drain the pasta (if cooking separately) and add it to the skillet with the sausage and broccoli.
* Add the Parmesan cheese and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
* If using heavy cream, stir it in at this point.
* If using lemon juice, add it now for a final touch of brightness.

### 7. Serve

* Serve the Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and toasted breadcrumbs, if desired.

## Tips and Variations

* **Use Different Types of Sausage:** Experiment with different types of sausage, such as chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or even chorizo. Each type of sausage will add its own unique flavor to the dish.
* **Add More Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the dish, such as bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, or spinach. Sauté the vegetables along with the garlic and broccoli.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for a spicier dish.
* **Add a Creamy Sauce:** Stir in some heavy cream or mascarpone cheese at the end for a richer, creamier sauce.
* **Use Different Types of Pasta:** If you can’t find cavatelli, you can use other types of pasta, such as orecchiette, shells, or penne.
* **Add Toasted Breadcrumbs:** Toasted breadcrumbs add a nice crunch to the dish. To make toasted breadcrumbs, simply toss breadcrumbs with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and toast them in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Omit the sausage and add a can of cannellini beans for protein. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free cavatelli pasta.
* **Make it Dairy-Free:** Omit the Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free Parmesan substitute.

## Serving Suggestions

Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or some crusty bread.

* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a great way to balance out the richness of the pasta dish.
* **Crusty Bread:** Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
* **Garlic Bread:** Garlic bread is another classic accompaniment to pasta dishes.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted vegetables, such as asparagus or Brussels sprouts, are a healthy and flavorful side dish.

## Storage and Reheating Instructions

* **Storage:** Store leftover Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little water or broth if needed to prevent it from drying out. You can also reheat it in the microwave.

## Frequently Asked Questions

* **Can I use frozen broccoli?** Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Just make sure to thaw it completely before adding it to the skillet.
* **Can I make this dish ahead of time?** Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, cook the pasta and combine it with the sauce.
* **Can I freeze this dish?** Yes, you can freeze this dish. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
* **What is the best type of sausage to use?** The best type of sausage to use depends on your personal preference. Sweet Italian sausage is a good all-around choice, but you can also use mild or hot Italian sausage. You can also use chicken or turkey sausage for a leaner option.
* **How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together?** To prevent the pasta from sticking together, be sure to use plenty of salted water when cooking it. You can also add a tablespoon of olive oil to the water. After draining the pasta, toss it with a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking.

## Recipe Card

**Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli**

A hearty and flavorful Italian-American dish that combines cavatelli pasta with broccoli and sausage in a light and creamy sauce.

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes
**Total Time:** 45 minutes
**Servings:** 6 servings

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound of cavatelli pasta (fresh or dried)
* 1 pound of Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot, depending on your preference), removed from casings
* 1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets
* 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
* ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
* ¼ teaspoon (or more, to taste) of red pepper flakes
* 1 cup of chicken broth
* ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
* Salt and black pepper to taste
* Optional: ½ cup of dry white wine, ¼ cup of heavy cream, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, toasted breadcrumbs for topping

**Instructions:**

1. Prepare the ingredients: Wash the broccoli and cut it into small florets. Remove the sausage from its casings and crumble it into a bowl. Mince the garlic cloves. Grate the Parmesan cheese.
2. Cook the sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the crumbled sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté the garlic and broccoli: Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are bright green and slightly tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. If using white wine, add it to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.
4. Combine the ingredients: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet with the broccoli. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatelli pasta and cook according to package directions, until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. *Alternatively, for a one-pot method, add the dry cavatelli directly to the skillet with the broccoli and sausage. Add enough chicken broth (or a combination of chicken broth and water) to cover the pasta. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through and the liquid has been absorbed, about 15-20 minutes. You may need to add more liquid if the pasta is drying out.*
6. Finish the dish: Drain the pasta (if cooking separately) and add it to the skillet with the sausage and broccoli. Add the Parmesan cheese and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. If using heavy cream, stir it in at this point. If using lemon juice, add it now for a final touch of brightness.
7. Serve: Serve the Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and toasted breadcrumbs, if desired.

Enjoy this delicious and comforting Broccoli and Sausage Cavatelli! We hope you found this recipe helpful and that you enjoy making it for your family and friends. Bon appétit!