Italian Sausage and Baby Broccoli Pasta with Oregano Gremolata

This pasta dish brings together the classic Italian flavors of sweet sausage, baby broccoli and a crunchy herb gremolata. The gremolata, made with toasted almonds, fresh oregano, garlic and lemon zest, adds a delightful texture and bright aroma.

Gemelli pasta holds the sauce beautifully and the whole dish comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s an easy yet impressive meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

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Ingredients

9 ounce Sweet Italian Pork SausageView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Gemelli PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Baby BroccoliView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce AlmondsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce OreganoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut baby broccoli into 1-inch pieces, discarding ends. Roughly chop garlic. Pick oregano leaves from stems and discard stems.
2. Place sausage on a baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes until cooked through.
3. Add pasta to boiling water and cook 9-11 minutes until al dente. During the last 3-4 minutes, add baby broccoli to the same pot. Remove broccoli with a slotted spoon and set aside. Drain pasta and return to pot.
4. Meanwhile, combine almonds, oregano leaves and garlic on a cutting board. Chop finely, leaving some larger almond pieces for texture.
5. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add the gremolata mixture and cook, tossing, for 3-4 minutes until golden. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, zest about 1 teaspoon lemon directly into the pan and stir.
6. Thinly slice the sausage. Halve the lemon. Toss sausage, baby broccoli, gremolata, half the Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil with the pasta. Reheat over medium if needed. Season with salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with remaining Parmesan.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, any short pasta like penne or fusilli works well.

Can I substitute the sausage?

You can use spicy Italian sausage or even chicken sausage for a lighter option.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.