Chicken Sausage Meatball and Broccoli Pasta Bowl
January 24, 2022 • 0 comments
Chicken sausage adds a vibrant twist to this comforting pasta dish. Want to plan ahead? You can make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them - or make a double batch to have extras on hand!
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 4
Directions
For the meatballs
- Combine all ingredients except the oil thoroughly in a mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
- After refrigeration, roll the mix into smallish (1 1/2-inch) meatballs. Heat the oil in a large skillet and brown the meatballs on all sides, in batches if necessary. Remove the meatballs to drain on paper towels. Leave the drippings in the skillet.
Putting it all together
- Add the 2 tablespoons of oil to the reserved drippings in the skillet and sauté the garlic and crushed red pepper for about a minute until fragrant. Add the meatballs and one cup of the chicken broth. Turn off the heat while you prepare the pasta and broccoli.
- Begin cooking the penne in a large pot per package directions but add the second cup of chicken broth to the pasta water. The penne takes 10 to 11 minutes to cook. At about the 8 minute mark, add the broccoli florets to the cooking pasta and cook about 3 minutes more. While the pasta is cooking, start heating the meatballs in the skillet over medium heat.
- Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving a cup or two of the pasta liquid, and stir the mixture into the skillet of meatballs. Add some of the pasta liquid if needed to loosen everything up. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with the Parmesan.
Ingredients:
For the meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons granulated (ground) garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons crushed fennel seeds
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup unseasoned panko crumbs
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Putting it all together
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- The previously cooked meatballs
- 2 cups chicken broth divided (1/1)
- 10 ounces dry penne pasta
- 5 heaping cups of small, fresh broccoli florets
- 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan for serving
*Recipe credit to: Food 52
