Best Easy Rigatoni con Salsiccia e Broccoli Recipe

Hearty tubes of rigatoni with Italian sausage and broccoli make a balanced one-pot mediterranean meal. High in protein and loaded with vegetables, it's ideal for a family dinner on a 1600 calorie plan.

Cook 40 min Difficulty NORMAL 420 kcal
#mediterranean #high protein #family dinner #balanced meal
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • rigatoni pasta 16 oz
  • Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed) 1 lb
  • broccoli florets 4 cups
  • yellow onion 1 pieces
  • garlic cloves 4 cloves
  • olive oil 3 tbsp
Seasonings/Sauce
  • kosher salt 1 tsp
  • black pepper 0.5 tsp
  • crushed red pepper flakes 0.25 tsp
  • Parmesan cheese (for serving) 0.5 cups
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 54 g 51%
Protein 21 g 20%
Fat 13 g 29%
Serving size 320g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add rigatoni and cook until just al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.

  2. 2

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and break apart with a spoon, cooking until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.

  3. 3

    Add chopped yellow onion to the skillet and sauté until soft and translucent, 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, careful not to burn.

  4. 4

    Add broccoli florets to the skillet. Pour in 1/3 cup reserved pasta water, cover, and steam broccoli for 4–5 minutes until bright green and just tender.

  5. 5

    Combine drained rigatoni with sausage-broccoli mixture in the skillet. Toss vigorously over medium heat, adding more pasta water as needed to coat. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat and finish with Parmesan cheese.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
Italian sausage is the central ingredient that gives Rigatoni con Salsiccia e Broccoli its unmistakable savory depth and traditional character. Combined with rigatoni pasta and broccoli, it ensures each bite is both hearty and flavorful.
Q. How do I avoid overcooking the broccoli while making this?
After adding broccoli to the skillet, steam it with reserved pasta water and cook covered for 4–5 minutes. Monitor color and texture: once broccoli is bright green and just tender, remove from heat to prevent mushiness and preserve its fresh texture.
Q. What's the secret to perfectly blending the sausage with the pasta?
Toss the drained rigatoni vigorously with the sausage-broccoli mixture over medium heat, using reserved pasta water to achieve a silky cohesion. This ensures every tube of rigatoni is coated and the textures marry seamlessly.
Q. How many calories and grams of protein are there per serving?
Each 320g serving contains 420 kcal and provides 21 grams of protein, making it a high protein meal suitable for active lifestyles or balanced family dinners.
Q. What's the nutritional balance in this dish?
Rigatoni con Salsiccia e Broccoli offers a well-rounded profile: carbs contribute 51%, protein 20%, and fat 29% of total calories, with per serving values of 54g carbs, 21g protein, and 13g fat.
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