She Strengthens

Quick and Flavorful Weeknight Dinner Solution

When time is of the essence, a reliable weeknight dinner recipe can be a lifesaver. This mouthwatering Italian-inspired dish is a perfect answer to your culinary prayers. By combining tender broccoli, savory Italian chicken sausage, and fusilli pasta in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce, you’ll have a satisfying meal on the table in no time.

Choosing the Right Sausage

For the best results, opt for an all-dark-meat or a mix of light- and dark-meat Italian chicken sausage. This will ensure a higher fat content, making the dish more flavorful and juicy. If you prefer to use all-white-meat sausage, simply add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan when sautéing the onions. Pork Italian sausage is also a suitable alternative.

Getting Started

Begin by bringing a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. While waiting for the water to boil, heat some olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the Italian chicken sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. This should take around 6-8 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage from the pan and set it aside.

Softening the Onions

Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onions to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the onions until they’re soft and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. This step should take about 6 minutes. Once the onions are cooked, turn off the heat.

Cooking the Broccoli and Pasta

When the water is boiling, add the broccoli and cook until it’s crisp-tender, which should take around 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to the bowl with the sausage. Next, return the water to a boil and add the fusilli pasta. Cook according to the package instructions or until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.

Creating the Creamy Sauce

Return the pan of onions to medium heat and add the heavy cream. Stir the mixture, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the cream to a simmer and cook until it’s slightly thickened, which should take around 2-3 minutes. Add the cooked sausage and broccoli to the pan, stirring until combined.

Assembling the Dish

Pour the broccoli-sausage mixture over the cooked pasta, adding the reserved pasta water and measured Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together, seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, offering additional Parmesan cheese on the side.

This recipe yields 6-8 servings and can be prepared in just 45 minutes. With its ease of preparation and rich flavors, it’s sure to become a staple in your weeknight dinner repertoire.