Description
A quick and comforting one-pot meal featuring cheesy smoked sausage and tender broccoli combined with pasta in a creamy sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, delivering rich flavors with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 1 pound shaped pasta
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 2 ½ cups milk
Vegetables and Cheese
- 2 ½ cups fresh broccoli florets
- 8 ounces American cheese, cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the pasta, sliced smoked sausage, chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, and milk into a large pot, mixing them together to prepare for cooking.
- Cook Pasta: Heat the pot over medium heat and let the ingredients simmer gently. Cook the pasta until it is tender, which should take about 10 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Add Broccoli and Cheese: Once the pasta is tender, add the fresh broccoli florets along with the cubed American cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts fully and the broccoli becomes tender but still vibrant.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the cheesy smoked sausage and broccoli pasta hot. Enjoy this creamy, flavorful one-pot meal immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use shaped pasta like rotini, penne, or shells as they hold the sauce well.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and reduce the amount of cheese.
- Fresh broccoli is preferred for texture, but frozen broccoli can be used; add it a minute earlier to ensure tenderness.
- Feel free to swap smoked sausage for kielbasa or another smoked sausage variety.
- Stirring occasionally is crucial to prevent the pasta from sticking or burning.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it before serving.
