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Craving a flavorful and fast meal? Look no further than this Sausage and Broccolini recipe. It’s ready in about 30 minutes and combines the best of both worlds: tender, slightly sweet broccolini and hearty, smoky sausage. Garlic, red pepper flakes, and a squeeze of lemon juice add a burst of flavor, while Parmesan cheese brings it all together. Plus, it’s a one-pan meal, making cleanup a breeze! This recipe is perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch, dinner, or even a light main course.
Pair your sausage and broccolini dish with any of our comforting side dishes for a complete meal. Try it with light and airy Butter Swim Biscuits or moist Cornbread, wholesome brown rice or rich buttered noodles.
Why You’ll Love This Broccolini Recipe
- Fast and Easy: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a great choice for a speedy lunch or dinner.
- Minimal Prep: Just a few ingredients are needed, so you can spend less time shopping and prepping.
- One-Pan Cleanup: Everything cooks together in one pan, saving you time and effort on cleanup.
- Healthy and Hearty: This dish combines nutritious broccolini with protein-packed sausage for a balanced meal.
- Spice it Up (or Down): Control the heat level by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference.
Broccolini: The Veggie You Need To Know (Easy Broccoli Swap)!
Ever wondered what that broccoli-looking vegetable with the long, thin stalks is? Meet broccolini, a delightful and versatile option that’s perfect for this recipe (and many others!).
Broccolini isn’t just baby broccoli, though it bears a resemblance. It’s actually a happy marriage between regular broccoli and Chinese broccoli, resulting in a veggie with a milder, sweeter flavor that some might even find slightly peppery. Don’t worry, the “pepper” is very subtle! This beautiful green veggie is not only delicious but also packs a nutritious punch. It’s loaded with vitamins C, K, and A, and is a good source of fiber and iron.
Here’s the best part for busy cooks: broccolini cooks quickly and easily. Whether you want to grill it, steam it, roast it, or even sauté it (like we do in this recipe!), it will be ready in no time. Plus, if you can’t find broccolini at the store, no worries! Regular broccoli can be used in its place. Just chop the broccoli florets and stalks into smaller pieces to mimic the size of broccolini.
RELATED: 5 Simple Tips When Cooking For One
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this sausage and broccolini recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Broccolini: Loved for its convenience and minimal waste, broccolini is a dream to prepare – just a quick trim of the stems, and it’s ready to cook. It’s a perfect pick for those who value both ease and nutrition. If broccolini is hard to find, regular broccoli or Chinese broccoli can be used instead. If you’ve got a little leftover, use it in Beef and Broccoli, make Roasted Broccolini or a Broccoli Salad.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A staple in my kitchen and a star in this broccolini dish, extra virgin olive oil is celebrated for its pure, unrefined quality and rich, authentic flavor, which enhances any recipe it’s added to. Not to mention, it’s a healthier fat option loaded with natural vitamins and minerals. If a milder taste is preferred, a light olive oil can be substituted while still reaping the health benefits.
- Smoked Sausage: Your choice of sausage can transform this dish, with options ranging from Italian for an herby touch, spicy for heat seekers, or chicken for a lighter fare. Vegetarians aren’t left out – there are excellent plant-based sausages that are just as flavorful and satisfying. Consider using leftover smoked sausage in Bangers and Mash, Slow Cooker Chickpeas and Sausage or Jambalaya.
- Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: A single clove of garlic brings a rich, aromatic depth, while a sprinkle of red pepper flakes introduces a kick that can be adjusted to your heat tolerance. Skip the flakes if you prefer a milder dish.
- Lemon Juice: The zing of fresh lemon juice brightens the dish, but if convenience calls, bottled lemon juice can suffice.
- Parmesan Cheese: A final flourish of Parmesan cheese lends a savory note that pulls the whole dish together.
How To Cut And Cook Broccolini
Getting the Broccolini Ready
- Rinse: Give the broccolini a quick rinse under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Trim and Prep: Trim off the tough ends of the broccolini stems (about 1/2 inch to 1 inch from the bottom). If the stalks are thicker, feel free to split them lengthwise for even cooking.
Cooking the Broccolini
To keep the broccolini beautifully green and slightly crunchy, we’ll use a technique called blanching. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccolini and cook for just 2 minutes. Then, drain the water immediately and rinse the broccolini under cold running water to stop the cooking process. This quick blast of cold water locks in the vibrant color and crisp texture of the broccolini.
Recipe Tips
- Prepping Broccolini: For the tenderest texture, trim off the ends of the broccolini stalks before cooking. This step ensures every bite is perfectly soft and enjoyable.
- Cooking Sausage Safely: It’s crucial to cook the sausage until it’s well-done to guarantee it’s safe for consumption. Cooking the sausage thoroughly also releases all the savory flavors of the sausage into the dish.
- Substituting Broccoli: If broccolini isn’t available, feel free to substitute with regular broccoli. Just cut it into smaller, bite-sized pieces for a similar look and cook time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Definitely! To make a second serving, just double all the ingredients listed.
Yes, broccolini can be eaten raw, although cooking it tends to enhance its flavor and texture.
Yes, you can cook this dish in advance and reheat it when ready to eat. Just be careful not to overcook the broccolini on reheating to maintain its texture.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serve broccolini recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
RELATED: Cooking For One Tips To Eat Healthy And Save Money
Sausage And Broccolini For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ pound broccolini -rinsed and trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3.5 ounces sliced smoked sausage -about ¾ cup sliced sausage (use Kielbasa, Bratwurst, Andouille, or turkey sausage)
- 1 clove garlic -thinly sliced
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccolini and cook for just 2 minutes. Then, drain the water immediately and rinse the broccolini under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Gently squeeze the broccolini and pat dry. Place the blanched broccolini on a cutting board and chop in half or in thirds.
- In a medium-sized skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the sausage and cook one side over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Flip the sausages over, add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook the other side of the sausages for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally so that the garlic doesn’t burn.
- Add the broccolini to the skillet and cook, stirring until tender, 3 minutes.
- Remove skillet from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, to taste.
Notes
- Prepping Broccolini: For the tenderest texture, trim off the ends of the broccolini stalks before cooking. This step ensures every bite is perfectly soft and enjoyable.
- Cooking Sausage Safely: It’s crucial to cook the sausage until it’s well-done to guarantee it’s safe for consumption. Cooking the sausage thoroughly also releases all the savory flavors of the sausage into the dish.
- Substituting Broccoli: If broccolini isn’t available, feel free to substitute with regular broccoli. Just cut it into smaller, bite-sized pieces for a similar look and cook time.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I really liked this recipe. I doubled the amount of brocollini. It’s a filling dinner or lunch.
Great recipe.
I used broccoli instead of broccolini – could not locate that in my small town. Yummy!
Awesome, Leanne. I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
I also love to stir fry kielbasa with large chunks of bell pepper, onion, celery, carrot and water chestnuts. I steam the veggies lightly and add to the sauted kielbasa chunks. Then I add some sesame oil and soy sauce. I serve it over cauliflower rice that I have heated up. This can be adjusted to whatever your taste is and I suppose chicken, shrimp or other meats can be used. I just like the kielbasa because it only needs to be heated up and caramelized a bit.
This was soooo good. I made it last night because hubby and the kids were gone AND it has my two favs…sausage and broccolini. Delish!
Such a simple and flavorful dish! I have to say hands down broccolini is my favorite and this comes together so easy and wonderful!