Imagine a mouthwatering meal that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience in just 30 minutes! This One Pan Lemony Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccolini is not just a recipe—it's a game-changing dinner solution that will have your family begging for seconds. Packed with zesty lemon, savory Italian sausage, and tender broccolini, this Italian-inspired dish proves that gourmet cooking can be simple, fast, and incredibly delicious.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz orecchiette pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
- 2 cups broccolini, chopped
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by slicing Italian sausage into bite-sized pieces, chopping broccolini into 1-inch segments, mincing garlic, and zesting and juicing the lemon. Set ingredients aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large, wide skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced Italian sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and begins to release its fat.
- Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add orecchiette pasta and 3 cups of water to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until pasta is almost al dente.
- Stir in chopped broccolini and continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes until pasta is fully cooked and broccolini is tender-crisp.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the dish. Toss everything together to ensure even coating and distribution of ingredients.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Serve hot, with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Choose Quality Ingredients: Use fresh Italian sausage and crisp broccolini for the best flavor profile.
- Pan Temperature Matters: Maintain medium-high heat to properly brown the sausage and develop rich, caramelized flavors.
- Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir occasionally when cooking pasta in the skillet to ensure even cooking and prevent clumping.
- Don't Overcook Broccolini: Add it later in the cooking process to maintain a tender-crisp texture.
- Lemon Zest Hack: Add zest and juice at the end to preserve the bright, fresh citrus flavor.
- Cheese Tip: Use freshly grated Parmesan for maximum flavor and better melting.
- Resting Time: Allow the dish to rest for 2-3 minutes to let the sauce thicken and flavors meld together.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 580kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 70mg
