Name: Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 Italian sweet sausage links, casings removed, and break up into chunks.; 5 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil - DIVIDED, plus extra; 5 to 6 garlic cloves - diced or minced; 2 bunches of broccoli rabe, florets plus tender stems and leaves only; 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes; 3/4 tsp. salt; 2/3 cup chicken broth, or vegetable broth; 4 Tbsp. butter - divided; 3 to 4 Tbsp. grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and extra for serving; 3/4 pound penne pasta

Jump to Recipe

In the mood for a delicious pasta? Then try our Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe! It is a hearty dish combining tender penne pasta with sweet Italian sausage links and fresh broccoli rabe. But the key to sweetening broccoli rabe is in one simple trick that will make this pasta dish even more sensational!

Penne pasta tossed with crumbed sausages and broccoli rabe on a white and blue dinner plate.

Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe… and Better!

I haven’t made pasta in a while, and since my family was craving it, I decided to make this penne dish with sausage and broccoli rabe for dinner. Penne is a hearty pasta that pairs well with crumbled sausage and tender greens.

And for years, I personally didn’t care for broccoli rabe until my brother showed us how to make it taste delicious and not bitter! Now, we have been making his version of Broccoli Rabe Steamed and Sauteed ever since!

So we decided to pair his recipe with sweet sausages and tossed them over penne pasta.

The result? … it was so good – we each had two bowls of it. And, with that?… we can’t wait for you to try this recipe!

If you love “all-in-one” meals like this one, then try our Pasta with Chicken Peas & Mushrooms, and Tagliatelle with Fresh Tomato & Sausage, next! And don’t miss our most popular recipe, our Tuscan Creamy Chicken Pasta. These are fantastic recipes and ones we think you will love.

Penne pasta tossed with crumbled sausage and broccoli rabe on a white and blue plate.

What is Broccoli Rabe?

Broccoli rabe is a green vegetable available all year long, and especially in the height of the fall and winter season when the broccoli rabe is at its peak. Loaded with iron and Vitamin C, broccoli rabe is considered to be a high-nutrient-dense vegetable that’s satisfying and will keep you feeling full longer.

Tips for Buying Broccoli Rabe:

For the best quality, look for the “ANDY BOY” brand on the label.
Make sure the little florets are totally green and not showing any signs of yellow in them.
The ends should look crisp and not mushy to the touch; that’s how you will know it’s fresh – and not sitting on the shelf too long.

How to Clean Broccoli Rabe Properly?

First, cut off the ends (about 2 to 3 inches from the bottom) of each bunch, and discard them.
Then remove the very large leaves from each bunch, and throw those out as well. Those large leaves are the bitter part of the vegetable.
Next, cut the remaining bunch into thirds again. It’s easier to grab a forkful when the length of stems is about 2 inches long.
Submerge the cut broccoli rabe into a large bowl of running water.
Rinse the broccoli, drain and discard the water, then refill the bowl again with water. Rinse them the second time and drain them in a colander.
Now they are ready for the recipe.

Ok, what is the trick to reducing the bitterness of broccoli rabe?

How to reduce the bitterness or get rid of it? Two ingredients help get rid of the bitterness. That is- when we cook broccoli rabe, we sauté it with fresh garlic and some vegetable broth. Both ingredients are the so-called “simple trick” to this delicious flavor – and without the bitterness. They both contribute to flavoring the broccoli, making it a sweeter and more delicious-tasting vegetable. And it is truly transformed. Broccoli rabe also makes a healthy side dish that goes perfectly with some protein, and especially with Italian sweet sausages.

Ingredients You Will Need:

For our Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

4 Italian sweet sausage links, casings removed, and broken up into chunks.
5 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil – DIVIDED, plus extra
5 to 6 garlic cloves – diced or minced
2 bunches of broccoli rabe, florets plus tender stems and leaves only
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup chicken broth, or vegetable broth
4 Tbsp. butter – divided
3 to 4 Tbsp. grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and extra for serving
3/4 pound penne pasta

How to Make Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe? (5-easy-steps)

Our full printable recipe card is located at the bottom. But first, let’s run through our easy steps so you will understand what’s involved before you start.

First, cook the crumbled sausage until it’s brown and fully cooked (follow directions in the recipe card below). Transfer the cooked sausage into a nearby bowl.
Next, toss in the broccoli rabe, with a few more ingredients. Cover and simmer for about one minute, or until the rabe wilts. Keep in mind, broccoli rabe cooks up quickly.
Transfer the crumbled sausage back into the skillet with the broccoli rabe. Pour in some broth and butter, and COVER. Continue to simmer for a few minutes more. The broccoli rabe should be a dark green color and tender to the bite.
When ready, turn off the heat and uncover. Otherwise, the rabe will continue to cook and will become too soft and mushy.

3 steps to cooking sausages in a skillet with broccoli rabe.

5. Meanwhile, boil water in a large pot and toss in the penne pasta. Drain when the pasta is ready. Then toss everything together and serve with some grated Locatelli Pecorino Romano cheese at the table.

QUICK NOTE: Sometimes both the sausage and broccoli will absorb most of the liquid in the skillet. When it does, drizzle additional extra-virgin olive oil into the pot to add more moisture before serving.

Skillet with broccoli rabe and crumbled sausages. Then they are added to the pot with cooked penne pasta.

FAQ’s

How do we store the leftovers? You can easily store the leftovers in a sealed container and keep them chilled in your refrigerator.
How long will it stay fresh? Pasta dishes like this one can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days. After that, discard it.

A blue and white plate filled with pasta, broccoli and crumbled sausages.

A Delicious Dinner

Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe will make a hearty meal, and it’s ready to serve in over 30 minutes. Perfect! If you wish, serve it with some crusty bread, or a green salad and a fine bottle of red wine, like a Cabernet to round out the meal.

Enjoy and Bon Appétit!

More Skillet Recipes & One-Pot Wonders:

Your comments help us! If you make this delicious Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe, let us know and leave a comment and star rating in our recipe card above! We’d love to hear from you!

Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Yield: 4 to 5 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Penne with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe! It is a hearty dish combining tender penne pasta with sweet Italian sausage links and fresh broccoli rabe. But the key to sweetening broccoli rabe is in one simple trick that will make this pasta dish even more sensational!

5.0 Stars (1 Review)

Ingredients

4 Italian sweet sausage links, casings removed, and break up into chunks.
5 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil - DIVIDED, plus extra
5 to 6 garlic cloves - diced or minced
2 bunches of broccoli rabe, florets plus tender stems and leaves only
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup chicken broth, or vegetable broth
4 Tbsp. butter - divided
3 to 4 Tbsp. grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and extra for serving
3/4 pound penne pasta

Instructions

Fill a large pot with water for the penne pasta. Place it on the stovetop and bring the water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then, with a slotted spoon, remove the cooked crumbled sausages and transfer them to a nearby bowl.
Reduce the heat to moderate. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan. Toss in the garlic and sauté the garlic until it softens for about 1 minute.
Add the wet broccoli rabe along with any water that clings to the leaves. COVER with a lid. As soon as the broccoli wilts, about 30 seconds, add in the red pepper flakes and salt to the broccoli.

NEXT, transfer the cooked sausage back into the skillet. Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock, and 2 tablespoons of butter (or instead of butter, you can add extra virgin olive oil).

COVER and cook over medium-high heat until the sauce reduces a little, about 2 to 3 minutes. Broccoli rabe cooks quickly and should be dark green and fork-tender. Taste, and season with salt and pepper to your preference. Then turn off the heat... and UNCOVER the skillet.

Meanwhile, toss the penne pasta into the boiling water and cook the pasta until al-dente. Drain the pasta and transfer the pasta back into the large pot. Toss in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
Toss with the broccoli-rabe mixture and 3 tablespoons of grated pecorino cheese.
Optional: You can drizzle an additional 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil over the entire pasta mixture, stir, and serve.
Serve immediately with grated pecorino cheese at the table.

Notes

Keep in mind, after the broccoli rabe is cooked to your liking, you must remove the cover from the skillet. Otherwise, it will continue to cook the greens and they will get overcooked, and even mushy.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5 servings Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 723Total Fat: 48gSaturated Fat: 19gCarbohydrates: 15.1gFiber: 1.1gSugar: 1gProtein: 36g

Happy & Healthy Cooking! 🙂

Thanks for stopping by…. xo anna and liz

Welcome! From Anna and Liz

We believe the kitchen is the center and the heart of the home. It is where we cook, eat, and unwind with family and friends, creating memorable traditions! Read more…

FREE EMAIL BONUS

Weeknight Dinners Made Easy

Tips & recipes for delicious meals . . . no matter your skill level!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form.kadence-form-acba8e-3e .kadence-blocks-form-field.kb-submit-field { display: none; }