Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Recipe

If you’re looking for a cozy, delicious dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes and feels like a warm hug, you’re going to adore this Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Recipe. I absolutely love how the creamy sauce melds the spicy sausage and tender broccolini with those cute little bow-tie pasta shapes, making it a family favorite every single time. Stick around—I’ll walk you through every step so you get it just right and end up with a dinner that’s both fuss-free and packed with flavor.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients that come together in perfect harmony. I always recommend choosing quality Italian sausage and fresh broccolini (or broccoli) for the best results.

• Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps brown the sausage beautifully.
• Italian sausage (removed from casings): The star protein—choose sweet or spicy based on how bold you want the flavor.
• Yellow onion (chopped): Adds sweetness and depth when softened.
• Kosher salt: Enhances every flavor; don’t skip it when seasoning from start to finish.
• Garlic cloves (finely chopped): Fresh garlic brings that punchy aroma that gets your taste buds dancing.
• Crushed red chili flakes: Just a bit adds a lovely, subtle heat—adjust to your liking.
• Moist sun-dried tomatoes (sliced): These little bursts of umami are what set this sauce apart.
• Chicken broth: Keeps the sauce light yet flavorful while cooking the pasta and broccoli.
• Broccolini (trimmed and sliced into bite-size pieces): Tender but vibrant, a great way to sneak in some greens.
• Short pasta (bowties, penne, or rigatoni): Bow-tie pasta is my favorite here since it holds the sauce so well.
• Heavy cream: Gives the sauce that creamy, dreamy texture you’ll crave.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Adds savory, nutty goodness both inside the sauce and on top when serving.

Variations

I love how flexible the Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Recipe is. You can easily tailor it to your tastes or what’s in the fridge, which makes it one of my go-to dishes for creative weeknight cooking.

• Vegetarian Version: Swap the sausage for sautéed mushrooms or chickpeas; the sauce still shines beautifully.
• Spice Level: I sometimes double the chili flakes when I’m craving a kick, but you can always tone it down for kids.
• Veggie Swap: If broccolini isn’t available, regular broccoli or even asparagus work great too.
• Cheese Swap: Mixing in some pecorino or Asiago along with Parmesan amps up the flavor complexity.

How to Make Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Recipe

Step 1: Get that pasta water boiling like the sea

First things first—bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add enough salt so it tastes just like sea water. I usually use 2-3 tablespoons of kosher salt per 4 quarts of water. This little step is my secret to perfectly seasoned pasta right from the start, so don’t skip it!

Step 2: Brown the sausage and build your flavor base

Heat a wide pan over medium-high heat, add your olive oil, then toss in the sausage (casing removed) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no pink remains—about 5 minutes. I like to move the sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon afterward, leaving all those flavorful rendered fats in the pan. Then add the chopped onion along with a splash of water or broth to loosen those golden bits stuck to the bottom—it adds so much depth! Let the onion soften for a minute or two.

Step 3: Aromatics and tomatoes join the party

Stir in the minced garlic, chili flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking just until you can smell the garlic—don’t let it burn! Then return the sausage to the pan and pour in the chicken broth. Give everything a good stir and bring it to a gentle simmer while you start cooking the pasta.

Step 4: Cook pasta and broccoli to almost perfect

This is where timing is key: cook your pasta in the boiling salted water for exactly 8 minutes. I always set a timer because undercooking by just a little means the pasta finishes cooking in the sauce, soaking up all that goodness. About 30 seconds before draining, toss the broccolini in the boiling water to soften slightly but keep its bright color and crunch.

Step 5: Bring it all together in creamy perfection

Drain the pasta and broccolini, then add them directly to the pan with the sauce. Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the Parmesan over everything. Turn the heat up to medium-high and let it simmer for 5-8 minutes to thicken the sauce just right. It’s that simple and utterly delicious!

Step 6: Serve topped with extra Parmesan

Dish out the Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli into bowls and don’t be shy with the extra Parmesan on top—it really elevates the dish. I like to add a little crack of fresh black pepper here too.

How to Serve Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Recipe

Garnishes

I always top this pasta with extra freshly grated Parmesan—because why not?—and sometimes add a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley to brighten it up. A drizzle of good olive oil or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes on top can also take it from great to amazing.

Side Dishes

Since this dish is a complete meal on its own, I usually keep sides simple—think crusty garlic bread or a fresh green salad with a lemony vinaigrette. If you want to go all out, roasted cherry tomatoes or a light caprese salad pairs beautifully too.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I love serving this Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Recipe in shallow, wide bowls garnished with edible flowers or fresh herbs. It looks fancy but is total comfort food. You can even portion it into small ramekins and bake lightly with extra cheese on top for individual cheesy pasta gratins.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because the pasta continues to absorb sauce, the texture thickens, so I recommend adding a splash of cream or broth when reheating to bring it back to silky perfection.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftovers a couple of times and it works okay—but since the cream sauce can separate, I prefer making this fresh. If you do freeze it, thaw overnight in the fridge and gently reheat with added liquid to help re-emulsify the sauce.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the pasta gently in a skillet over low heat, adding small amounts of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce until it’s creamy and smooth again, like fresh. Microwaving works too but stirring halfway helps avoid hot spots.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Recipe holds a special spot in my heart because it hits all the marks: quick, comforting, and full of flavor without being complicated. Whenever I make it, my kitchen smells like a little Italian trattoria, and my family asks for seconds. I really hope you give this one a try—you’ll enjoy how easy it is and how happy it makes everyone at the dinner table. Bon appétit, my friend!

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