Broccoli and Sausage Pasta

• 1 pound Rigatoni Pasta
• 1/2 cups Broccoli Florets (up To 3 Times This Amount If Desired)
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil Plus A Bit More For Drizzling
• 4 whole Sweet Italian Sausage Links, Casings Removed
• 2 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 dash Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• 1 pint Grape Tomatoes, Cut In Half
• 4 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Salt And Pepper, to taste

1. 1.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions in a pot of salted water.
3. Reserve a cup of the pasta water then drain pasta.
4. Set pasta and water aside.
5. 2.
6. Blanch broccoli by cooking them in another pot of salted boiling water until just tender, then drain it and run it under very cold water to stop the cooking.
7. 3.
8. In a large saute pan over medium heat, brown sausage in olive oil.
9. Once browned, drain grease if necessary.
10. Mix in garlic and red pepper flakes if adding.
11. 4.
12. Throw in half of the grape tomatoes and let the mixture cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes start to break down.
13. 5.
14. Throw in the second half of the grape tomatoes and the broccoli.
15. Add the reserved pasta water.
16. 6.
17. Drizzle with olive oil and heat through.
18. Season with salt and pepper.
19. 7.
20. Mix the cooked veggies with the cooked pasta and sprinkle in the Parmesan.
21. Toss to combine and serve.

broccoli, olive oil, sweet italian sausage, garlic, red pepper, grape tomatoes, parmesan cheese, salt

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/broccoli-and-sausage-pasta/ (may not work)