• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Peel with Zeal

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • GF Resources
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • GF Resources
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes

    Published: Dec 29, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Penne Pasta with Sausage and Broccolini (GF)

    67 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email
    - Jump to Recipe -
    Sausage pasta with broccolini in a pan.
    Sausage pasta with broccolini in a pan. Garnished with red pepper flakes.
    Sausage pasta with broccolini in a pan.
    Sausage pasta with broccolini and half a lemon in a pan.
    Sausage pasta with broccolini in a pan.

    This pasta with sausage and broccolini is a simple yet rich homemade meal the whole family will love. It’s made with gluten-free penne pasta tossed with tender broccolini, flavorful Italian sausage, and a decadent lemon cream sauce. 

    Sausage pasta with broccolini in a pan.

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This broccolini pasta dish is the perfect example of the simplest ingredients coming together to make the best meal. Thanks to its creamy sauce, this quick meal has a few simple ingredients but tastes like you spent all evening on it. 

    It’s light and refreshing, but hearty and comforting at the same time. And while we love our classic San Marzano marinara sauce and easy dairy-free basil pesto, this lemon cream sauce is a nice change of pace and a fun variation on a classic Italian dish.

    Jump to:
    • 📖Why This Recipe Works
    • 🧾Ingredient Notes
    • 💭 Variations
    • ⏲️How to Make Pasta with Sausage and Broccolini
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip
    • 🌡️Storing Leftovers
    • More Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes
    • 💬Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    📖Why This Recipe Works

    • 30-Minute Meal- This recipe is ready in a total of 30 minutes, but tastes like you spent way more time on it. By cooking the broccolini with the pasta we save a considerable amount of time and save some dishwashing.
    • Hearty and Filling- With carbs, protein, and veggies, a serving of this will have you totally satisfied. That’s not to say, of course, that you can’t enjoy it with your favorite side dishes!
    • Versatile- This meal is easy enough to whip up on any weeknight, but also decadent enough to serve for a dinner party.

    This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.

    🧾Ingredient Notes

    This recipe uses dried pasta, and you can use regular or gluten-free pasta depending on your needs.

    I typically use penne pasta. But you can also swap it out for another short pasta shape like fusilli, bowtie pasta, or orecchiette pasta. Just keep in mind that different kinds of pasta need different amounts of time to cook.

    Fresh Broccolini - Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has a slightly sweeter flavor and smaller florets. You can also just use regular broccoli florets or broccoli rabe if preferred

    Italian Sausage - I recommend mild Italian sausage bought in bulk (i.e. ground pork, not in link form). The mild flavor pairs well with the lemon flavor. If you can only find sweet Italian sausage in link form, you can simply remove it from the casing.

    Aromatics - Sautéed onion and garlic create the perfect sweet flavor base for the cream sauce.

    Lemon Zest and Juice - A sprinkle of lemon zest and a couple of tablespoons of juice gives the sauce the perfect light, citrusy flavor. You need 1 to 2 fresh lemons.

    Heavy Whipping Cream - You could also use whole milk or half-and-half, but the flavor won’t be quite as rich.

    Cream Cheese - Be sure to cut the cream cheese into small cubes before adding it to the sauce. This helps it melt more quickly into the other ingredients.

    See the recipe card for exact quantities.

    Recipe ingredients on a counter.

    💭 Variations

    This recipe can be made vegetarian. You can leave the sausage out entirely or swap it out for a meatless variety.

    Feel free to boost the nutrition by sautéing other chopped veggies with onion and garlic for the sauce. Try sliced zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, or kale.

    ⏲️How to Make Pasta with Sausage and Broccolini

    This sausage broccolini pasta is ready in a total of 30 minutes! Here’s a quick breakdown of the recipe. See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and instructions.

    Step 1 - Brown the Sausage

    In a large skillet enough skillet to hold the final dish, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add in the ground sausage.

    Let the sausage cook for a few minutes, occasionally stirring and breaking it into pieces with a wooden spoon. Once browned, move the sausage to a small plate. Drain off the excess oil but do not wash the pan.

    Step 2 - Cook the Pasta

    While the sausage is cooking, fill a large pot with water, add in a sprinkle of salt, then bring the water to a boil. Add in the pasta and cook for 4 minutes less than the time listed on the box. So, if the box says 10-12 minutes, cook it for 6-8 minutes.

    Next, add in the chopped broccolini to the boiling water and let that cook with the pasta for another few minutes or until the broccolini is fork tender and the pasta is al dente.

    Drain, but reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.

    Step 3 - Make the Cream Sauce

    In the same pan, you cooked the sausage in, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add in the onion and cook until tender, then stir in the garlic and lemon zest.

    Slowly pour in the heavy cream whisking as you go. Add the salt and pepper followed by the cubed cream cheese. Whisk in the lemon juice.

    Lemon cream sauce for pasta in a pan.

    Step 4 - Assemble and Serve

    To the saucepan, add the cooked sausage, cooked pasta, and broccolini. Toss to coat, making sure everything is fully combined. Add little bits of the pasta water at a time just until the sauce thins enough to come together. You may not need the full ½ cup of water.

    Finish with red pepper flakes and chopped parsley. You can add a little parmesan cheese if you like.

    Adding the pasta ingredients to a pan.

    🥗What to Serve with Sausage Broccolini Pasta

    This hearty pasta dish is a complete meal all on its own, but you definitely can’t go wrong with a couple of simple side dishes. 

    Enjoy it with a slice of Gluten-Free Garlic Bread, a simple green salad with Italian dressing, or roasted Zucchini Slices, or add in a few slow-roasted tomatoes.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

    Don’t forget to save the starchy pasta water! It’s easy to forget and drain it all out of the pan, but it really is important for helping the cream sauce come together.

    🌡️Storing Leftovers

    Leftover broccoli sausage pasta will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

    To reheat, warm either in the microwave or on low on the stove until heated through. If the pasta needs a little extra moisture, add in a splash of water or warm chicken broth to thin it.

    I don’t recommend freezing this dish as the texture of the cream sauce won’t hold up when thawed.

    Penne pasta with broccolini, sausage, and parmesan cheese in a skillet.

    More Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipes

    • Juicy Garlic Butter Steak Bites
    • Pork Chop Skillet Dinner with Spinach and White Beans
    • Stovetop Tuna Noodle (GF, DF)
    • Vegetarian Thai Green Curry

    💬Frequently Asked Questions

    Does broccolini cook faster than broccoli?

    Broccolini does cook faster than broccoli because of its thinner stalk. If you substitute fresh broccoli florets, they will need 2 additional minutes of cooking time. You will need to add it to the cooking pasta earlier so that the broccoli finishes cooking while the pasta is still al dente.

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    Sausage pasta with broccolini in a pan.

    Penne Pasta with Sausage and Broccolini

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    Penne covered in light lemon cream sauce with broccolini and savory Italian sausage. Ready in 30 minutes for a light and refreshing pasta dinner.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 7 mins
    Cook Time 23 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 552 kcal

    Equipment

    • Stockpot
    • High sided saute pan
    • Large saute pan
    • Colander or mesh strainer

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 ounces penne pasta gluten-free if needed
    • 10 ounce broccolini cut in half
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • 8 ounces ground Italian pork sausage mild, see notes
    • crushed red pepper flakes
    • fresh parsley minced

    Lemon Cream Sauce

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 small onion finely diced
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
    • 2 ounces cream cheese cut into small cubes
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add a generous amount of salt. Add the penne. Cook for 4 minutes less than what is on the box. Add the broccolini and cook until fork tender the pasta is al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain.
      8 ounces penne pasta, 10 ounce broccolini
    • While the water is boiling, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Brown the sausage, stirring occasionally until the chunks are broken up. Transfer the sausage to a plate. Drain the grease from the pan but don't wash.
      8 ounces ground Italian pork sausage, 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • Melt the butter in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and lemon zest.
      2 tablespoons butter, 1 small onion, 1 clove garlic, 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • Slowly stir in the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the cubed cream cheese and stir until melted.
      ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 ounces cream cheese, ⅛ teaspoon pepper
    • Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Add in the lemon juice. Add the pasta water, if needed, to thin the sauce.
      2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • Stir in the cooked sausage, pasta, and broccolini. Gently toss to coat.
    • Season to taste and garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes
      fresh parsley, crushed red pepper flakes

    Notes

    • I recommend Jovial and Barilla gluten-free penne for this recipe.
    • If you can't find the ground sausage use links and remove the meat from the casing.
    • You can use hot Italian or mild but I find mild works best with this sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 552kcal | Carbs: 51g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 29g | Fiber: 3g
    Keyword gluten free pasta recipes, sausage and broccoli pasta, sausage broccolini pasta
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

    • Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Beef
    • Gluten-Free Meatballs
    • Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens
    • Ground Turkey Stuffed Acorn Squash
    67 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome Friends!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    Subscribe

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Roast Turkey with Sage and Orange
    • How to Dry Brine a Turkey
    • Homemade Turkey Broth
    • Cranberry Gin Cocktail
    • Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
    • Cranberry Salad with Raspberry Jello

    Popular Recipes

    • Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce
    • Parmesan Roasted Zucchini and Squash
    • San Marzano Tomato Sauce
    • Demerara Syrup
    • Tanghulu
    • Easy Dog Birthday Cake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Check out our new Web Stories

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Partnerships

    Copyright © 2022 Peel with Zeal