This hearty pasta dish brings together sweet Italian sausage, tender baby broccoli, and gemelli pasta in a creamy Parmesan sauce. The star is the crunchy oregano-almond gremolata that adds a fresh, nutty finish.
By cooking the pasta and broccoli together, you save time and cleanup. It’s a satisfying weeknight meal that feels special enough for company.
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Ingredients
Instructions
- 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.
- Place sausage on a baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes until cooked through.
- Add gemelli 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.
- Meanwhile, combine almonds, oregano leaves, and chopped garlic on a cutting board. Chop finely with a knife, leaving some larger almond pieces.
- Heat 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 2 teaspoons lemon directly into the pan, and stir.
- Slice sausage thinly. Halve lemons. 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 lemon juice to taste. Serve with remaining Parmesan.
Useful Cookware
A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.
Baking Sheet
GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on Amazon
NutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on Amazon
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on AmazonSlotted Spoon
Berglander Slotted Spoons for Straining 2 pcs 13", Stainless Steel Kitchen Spider Strainer Skimmer Ladle for Straining Pasta/Cooking/Frying, Metal Kitchen Utensils Pasta SpoonView on Amazon
HOTEC 446°F Heat Resistant Large Silicone Cooking Spoon, BPA Free Solid Slotted Spoons, Nonstick Kitchen Cookware Utensils, Mixing, Serving, Stiring Large Spoons, BlackView on Amazon
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Slotted SpoonView on AmazonStrainer
Cuisinart, Mesh Strainers, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Fine Mesh Kitchen Strainer Set for Sifting, Straining and Cooking, Ctg-00-3Ms, 3 CountView on Amazon
3Pcs Super Wire Extra Fine Mesh Strainer with Handle, Small Medium Large Size Sifter Metal Strainer Set, Stainless Steel Sieve Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen Rice Juice Quinoa Food Flour Baking YLYLView on Amazon
Winco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, 8-Inch Diameter, Medium, Stainless Steel, Tan,SilverView on AmazonLarge Pan
SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on Amazon
Farberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on Amazon
SNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on AmazonZester
Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Parmesan Cheese Lemon, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Fruits, Vegetables, Ginger Grater - Cheese Shredder & Stainless Steel GraterView on Amazon
Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester 18/8, Black - Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic, Ginger, Nutmeg, Chocolate - Stainless Steel GraterView on Amazon
OXO Good Grips Etched Zester and GraterView on AmazonRecipe Tips
For extra creaminess, reserve some pasta water before draining and stir it into the finished dish.
If you can’t find gemelli, substitute with any short pasta like rotini or penne.
Toast the almonds briefly in a dry pan before chopping for deeper flavor.
FAQ
Can I use a different type of sausage?
Yes, you can substitute with chicken or turkey Italian sausage, or even a spicy variety for more heat.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! Omit the sausage and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers. You can also add a can of cannellini beans for protein.
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, adding a splash of water or olive oil to refresh.
























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