Cheesy Sausage and Broccoli Pasta


Author: Rachel

Published Date: September 11, 2024

There’s nothing like whipping up a meal that hits all the right notes—easy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying. If you’re on the lookout for a dinner that the whole family will love, you’ve come to the right place. This Cheesy Sausage and Broccoli Pasta is a dream come true for weeknight warriors, busy parents, and anyone who just wants a hearty meal without too much fuss.

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Ingredients:

Prep Time:  10 minutes | Total Time:  35 minutes | Servings: 4

  • 2 Packages Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Pasta, plus water, milk & butter per package directions
  • 2 cups Broccoli Florets, chopped
  • 1 lb Kielbasa Sausage
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste
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Instructions:

  1. Prep ingredients by slicing the kielbasa sausages into bite sized slices and set aside. Next, coarsely chop up broccoli florets and set aside.
  2. Make Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Pasta according to package instructions. Bring water, milk and butter to a boil in the pan, then add package contents (pasta & seasonings) and stir in.
  3. Add the chopped broccoli to the pan and stir all the ingredients together. Cover and let simmer on a low boil for 10-15 minutes or until pasta is cooked and liquid is drained. (the broccoli will be tender).
  4. While the pasta is cooking, add olive oil and the sliced sausages to pan over medium heat and brown to your liking. When finished, set on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
  5. Once the pasta is done, add kielbasa and shredded cheese to the pan and stir together until melted and incorporated. Salt and pepper to taste.
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Storage and Reheating Instructions:

To store your cheesy sausage and broccoli pasta, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can store in the freezer for up to 3 months but I recommend making it fresh.

To reheat, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until heated through.

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Helpful Tips & Substitutions

Can This Be Made Ahead of Time?

You can cook the entire dish, let it cool, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat using the methods mentioned earlier, and you’ve got dinner on the table in no time.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Switch Up the Protein: Swap out the kielbasa for a lighter option like chicken sausage.
  • Play with the Cheese: If you want an extra gooey dish, mozzarella melts beautifully into the sauce. And a little sprinkle of parmesan adds a nice salty kick.
  • Try a Different Pasta Base: While the Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Pasta makes things super easy, you can also try this dish with other pasta varieties like macaroni, penne, or rotini. Just make a quick cheese sauce or use your favorite store-bought mix!

Helpful Cooking Notes

  • Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep an eye on the pasta while it’s cooking! The Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Pasta is designed to cook quickly, so you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t get mushy. The perfect texture is key to making this dish feel indulgent but not overdone.
  • Brown the Sausage Well: A little extra time spent browning the sausage adds so much flavor. You want those crispy edges—it brings a depth that balances out the creaminess of the sauce.
  • Customize the Cheese: Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese based on your preference. Want it extra cheesy? Toss in a little more cheddar. Prefer a lighter touch? You can ease up on it, and the dish will still be creamy and delicious.
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Cheesy Sausage and Broccoli Pasta


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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 561 kcal
Whip up this Cheesy Sausage and Broccoli Pasta in just 35 minutes! Packed with so much goodness, it's the perfect easy weeknight dinner.

INGREDIENTS
  

  • 2 Packages Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Pasta, plus water, milk & butter per package directions
  • 2 cups Broccoli Florets, chopped
  • 1 lb Kielbasa Sausage
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Prep ingredients by slicing the kielbasa sausages into bite sized slices and set aside. Next, coarsely chop up broccoli florets and set aside.
  • Make Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Pasta according to package instructions. Bring water, milk and butter to a boil in the pan, then add package contents (pasta & seasonings) and stir in.
  • Add the chopped broccoli to the pan and stir all the ingredients together. Cover and let simmer on a low boil for 10-15 minutes or until pasta is cooked and liquid is drained. (the broccoli will be tender).
  • While the pasta is cooking, add olive oil and the sliced sausages to pan over medium heat and brown to your liking. When finished, set on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
  • Once the pasta is done, add kielbasa and shredded cheese to the pan and stir together until melted and incorporated. Salt and pepper to taste.

NOTES

Storage and Reheating Instructions:

To store your cheesy sausage and broccoli pasta, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can store in the freezer for up to 3 months but I recommend making it fresh.
To reheat, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until heated through.

Helpful Tips & Substitutions

Can This Be Made Ahead of Time?

You can cook the entire dish, let it cool, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat using the methods mentioned earlier, and you’ve got dinner on the table in no time.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Switch Up the Protein: Swap out the kielbasa for a lighter option like chicken sausage.
  • Play with the Cheese: If you want an extra gooey dish, mozzarella melts beautifully into the sauce. And a little sprinkle of parmesan adds a nice salty kick.
  • Try a Different Pasta Base: While the Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Pasta makes things super easy, you can also try this dish with other pasta varieties like macaroni, penne, or rotini. Just make a quick cheese sauce or use your favorite store-bought mix!

Helpful Cooking Notes

  • Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep an eye on the pasta while it’s cooking! The Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Pasta is designed to cook quickly, so you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t get mushy. The perfect texture is key to making this dish feel indulgent but not overdone.
  • Brown the Sausage Well: A little extra time spent browning the sausage adds so much flavor. You want those crispy edges—it brings a depth that balances out the creaminess of the sauce.
    Customize the Cheese: Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese based on your preference. Want it extra cheesy? Toss in a little more cheddar. Prefer a lighter touch? You can ease up on it, and the dish will still be creamy and delicious.

NUTRITION

Serving: 4gCalories: 561kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 25gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 1194mgPotassium: 452mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 567IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 236mgIron: 2mg
Course Dinner
Tried this recipe?Mention @sweettea_and_sprinkles or tag #sweetteaandsprinkles

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