This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal that will leave you feeling satisfied. The chicken sausage provides protein and the veggies add fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. I used a spicy Italian chicken sausage from Trader Joe’s, but any kind of Italian flavored sausage will work.
How do you get the bitterness out of broccoli?
To get the bitterness out of broccoli, you can blanch it in boiling water for a minute or two. This will soften the broccoli and make it less bitter.
You can also try steaming it instead of boiling it. However, if you want to roast the broccoli you should cut it into smaller pieces first.
Another method is for people who have started to learn how to cook is to use an acid medium like lemon juice or vinegar, both work well so either on its own will suffice if you want a quick fix.
If you leave the broccoli alone, it will eventually lose some of the bitterness as not all parts of the vegetable are bitter. If left for a long time, more and more of the acidity from the cruciferous vegetables is broken down to make it easier on your taste buds!
TIPS FOR Spicy chicken sausage & veggie orecchiette Recipe SUCCESS
When cooking this dish, make sure that you follow these tips for success:
-Use a large pot to cook the orecchiette
-Sauté the chicken sausage until it is cooked through
-Add the broccoli and cook until it is tender
-Finish the dish by stirring in the Parmesan cheese
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Spicy chicken sausage & veggie orecchiette
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal that will leave you feeling satisfied. The chicken sausage provides protein and the veggies add fiber and essential vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients
- 1 head of broccoli, chopped into small pieces
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 12 oz orecchiette pasta (any short pasta will work)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. spicy chicken sausage, casing removed
- 1/2 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. While you’re waiting for your water to boil, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced chicken sausage. Break up the chicken sausage using a wooden spoon and cook through. This should take about six minutes. Turn heat to low and set aside.
- Once your water is boiling, add broccoli; cooking until tender (three minutes). Transfer to a colander using a slotted spoon or small wire colander. Do not dump out your pasta water, as you will need it for the pasta and sauce. Add the pasta to the same pot of boiling water and cook 10 minutes, just shy of al dente.
- When the pasta is halfway done (at 5 minutes), scoop ½ cup of the boiling starchy pasta water into your skillet of cooked chicken sausage and garlic, then add broccoli to the skillet. Keep the head on low so it simmers until the pasta is done.
- Once the pasta is cooked through, add it to the skillet with the sausage and broccoli. Scoop ½ cup more pasta water into the skillet and let simmer for four minutes. Finally, add butter and parmesan cheese, stirring constantly. This will create the sauce. Add fresh cracked pepper to taste, depending on the spice level of your chicken sausage.
- To serve, remove from heat and serve pasta topped with additional grated Parmesan cheese. This makes great leftovers!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian
