Pasta is such a versatile dish. During the quarantine, one of the things I stocked up on is pasta. I had different kinds of pasta — spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, angel hair — you name it! You can cook it with a tomato-based sauce, creamy sauce, or even pesto. You can even just drizzle it with olive oil and add some garlic and herbs. In fact, in a previous recipe, I shared with you the No-Cook Spaghetti which is great for an emergency meal. Here’s another Penne Pasta recipe that’s also easy to prepare and has a few ingredients.
Penne Pasta and More!
There are different types of pasta. Normally they are made of durum wheat, eggs, and water. However, you can also make them from whole wheat, barley, buckwheat, or even rice. You can also find vegetarian pasta made from spinach.
Pasta contains carbs so if you are trying to watch your weight, eat it in moderation, just like rice. You can also opt for the healthier whole-grain pasta vs refined pasta. Whole-grain pasta is higher in fiber and is recommended for those who are also watching their blood sugar levels.
Here are the top 7 pasta that we normally use:
1. Gnocchi – Italian pasta made from flour, eggs, and cooked mashed potatoes. They closely resemble soft dough dumplings.
2. Linguine – means “little tongues” which are wider than spaghetti but narrower than fettuccine. They are perfect with pesto and seafood.
3. Tagliatelle – is actually the same as fettuccine. Tagliatelle is Italian while it is known as fettuccine in Rome and Southern Italy.
4. Lasagna – a type of pasta that is typically layered with meat sauce and cheese. Depending on the cooking instructions, you can boil them first or directly cook them in the oven. It is also known as the oldest pasta in the world.
5. Macaroni – is a tube-shaped pasta and is the most versatile pasta. You can serve it with cheese sauce, as a salad, with meat sauce, or even in soups.
6. Ravioli – is made from egg-based dough and are square in shape. They are filled with meat, cheese, or veggies. You can serve them with chicken, veggies, or with a thick sauce.
7. Spaghetti – Last but not least is spaghetti which is another versatile pasta. You can serve it with pesto, fresh tomatoes and herbs, with meat sauce, cream sauce, and more. You can even use it in soups.
Time to Cook Penne Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli
Now that you have learned some tidbits about pasta, it’s time to get cooking! This delicious Penne Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli is perfect for special dinners, too. Healthy and delicious, your kids will surely love eating their veggies.
Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends!
What about you? What other pasta recipes can you share with us?
Penne Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 package penne pasta
- 1 package broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 package lean Italian turkey sausage or any sausage of your choice casings removed and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. After 7 minutes, add the broccoli and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off heat and drain pasta and broccoli.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add sausage and cook for about 10-12 minutes until browned. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and stir-fry for another minute.
- Toss the pasta in the sausage mixture and add the remaining olive oil and heat through.
- Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
1 thought on “15-Minute Pasta Meal: Penne Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli”
This recipe was perfect. I just made a couple of small changes. This is delicious, quick, and easy!