Instant Pot Sausage Broccoli Pasta: Quick, Healthy & Delicious Weeknight Dinner
This Instant Pot Sausage Broccoli Pasta is the perfect quick and delicious dinner for your busy weeknights! Just two minutes of cook time and super easy cleanup thanks to the IP! This post contains affiliate links for products I am obsessed with.
Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner solution! If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly on the hunt for meals that are not only incredibly tasty but also quick to prepare and don’t leave you with a mountain of dishes. Enter this delightful **Instant Pot Sausage Broccoli Pasta**. It’s a true game-changer, promising a flavorful, satisfying meal with an astonishingly short cook time – just two minutes in your Instant Pot! Plus, the magic of pressure cooking means minimal cleanup, making it a win-win for busy families and anyone looking to simplify their dinner routine.
I must confess: This dish has become a staple in my home over the past few months. I’m actually a bit embarrassed that I’m only just now sharing this culinary gem with you. It’s a simple recipe, without any overly complicated techniques or exotic ingredients, yet it consistently delivers on taste and convenience. But what truly elevates this dish to “earth-shattering” status in my household? My husband, who is notoriously particular about his vegetables, *actually* eats all of the broccoli when this pasta is on the menu. And let me tell you, that’s a rare and beautiful thing!
Why This Instant Pot Pasta Will Become Your Family’s Favorite
There are countless reasons why this Instant Pot Sausage Broccoli Pasta is destined for your regular meal rotation. First and foremost, the Instant Pot makes dinner prep a breeze. Imagine coming home after a long day and having a hearty, homemade meal ready in under 15 minutes of total time, including prep. That’s the power of the Instant Pot! It cooks pasta perfectly al dente and infuses all the flavors together beautifully, creating a rich, cohesive dish that tastes like it simmered for hours.
Beyond its speed, this recipe is incredibly versatile and adaptable to various dietary needs. Whether you prefer spicy or sweet sausage, or need a gluten-free option, this dish can be easily customized. It’s also a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, especially for those picky eaters. The savory notes from the sausage, garlic, and Parmesan cheese create a flavor profile so appealing that even the most broccoli-averse individuals might just surprise you!
The Magic of Getting Picky Eaters to Love Broccoli
As mentioned, my husband’s enthusiastic consumption of broccoli in this dish is nothing short of a miracle. Normally, the only other dinner that gets him remotely interested in broccoli is my Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli. And I can’t blame him with that one – I mean, delicious beef coated in a sweet and savory sauce? Yeah, I think anyone could put up with some broccoli for that kind of deliciousness. But this Sausage and Broccoli Pasta is different; it doesn’t rely on a heavy sauce to mask the broccoli. Instead, the flavors meld together harmoniously, making the broccoli an integral and enjoyable part of every bite.
For my husband, this dish remarkably reminds him of a famous Italian Pork Sandwich with Broccoli Rabe from Philadelphia, known for its incredible garlicky goodness. That connection to a beloved local favorite speaks volumes about the robust, comforting flavors of this pasta. For me, it tastes like home. I grew up eating “Macaroni and Broccoli,” “Macaroni and Cauliflower,” “Macaroni and Peas” – essentially, macaroni with all the things! We loved our “yellows” (pasta!), and this recipe brings back all those warm, nostalgic feelings of simple, satisfying family meals.
Crafting This Easy Instant Pot Meal: From Idea to Dinner Table
The origin story of this recipe is probably familiar to many of you: a busy Saturday night, late-minute dinner decisions, and a fridge full of ingredients begging to be used. I was testing out my Beef and Broccoli recipe around that time, and we were *thisclose* to ordering takeout. But at the last minute, I decided to take a chance and throw what we had into the Instant Pot. The result was an instant hit – not just with my husband and me, but also with my youngest child (I simply left the crushed red pepper out of his portion, making it kid-friendly!).
Since then, this recipe has been perfected through countless iterations. I’ve made it with both sweet and spicy chicken sausage, and we absolutely love it both ways. This gives you the flexibility to choose what best suits your family’s preferences. If you’re having trouble finding good quality turkey or chicken sausage at your local grocery store, don’t fret! You can easily make your own using my detailed recipe for How to Make Homemade Italian Sausage with Ground Chicken or Turkey. It’s a simple process and guarantees fresh, flavorful sausage for your dish.
Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Pasta Every Time
Getting pasta right in the Instant Pot can sometimes feel like a delicate balance. My preferred brown rice pasta typically cooks perfectly in just two minutes of pressure cook time. However, every so often, after a quick release, I’ll find a few pieces of pasta that are still a little bit crunchy. If this happens to you, don’t panic! The solution is simple: give everything a good stir, and then pop the lid back on the Instant Pot for another minute or two. The residual heat inside the pot will continue to cook the pasta gently to your desired al dente perfection. I always prefer to err on the side of slightly undercooking, as it’s far easier to finish off firm pasta than to try and salvage a mushy mess!
When it comes to the broccoli, I tend to use a slightly lesser amount in this dish specifically because of my husband’s preferences. However, you can easily increase the quantity of fresh broccoli florets to your liking, making it an even healthier, more vegetable-packed meal. Adding more broccoli also makes this a perfect “1 green” for those following the 21 Day Fix program. I usually serve this dish with a simple side salad to round out the meal, but with enough broccoli in the pasta itself, it could easily stand alone as a complete and satisfying dinner.
This Instant Pot Sausage Broccoli Pasta is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution to the weeknight dinner dilemma. It’s quick, easy, healthy, and incredibly flavorful – a true testament to the versatility and convenience of the Instant Pot. Whether you’re a seasoned pressure cooker enthusiast or new to the game, this recipe will quickly earn a coveted spot in your culinary repertoire.
If you decide to give this fantastic recipe a try, please let me know what you think! Your feedback and creations truly make my day. And don’t forget to use the hashtag #confessionsofafitfoodie when you share your delicious results on social media so I can see and celebrate your cooking triumphs! I absolutely love seeing your interpretations and how you make these recipes your own. Happy cooking, friends! <3
Instant Pot Sausage Broccoli Pasta
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 lb spicy or sweet Italian poultry sausage removed from casing
- 1/2 onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked gluten free pasta
- 2-4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth or stock
- Crushed red pepper
- 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese can omit for WW
Instructions
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Set Instant Pot to saute and add oil to the bottom of your pan. Brown poultry sausage until cooked through. Add in garlic and onion add cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
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Stir in stock, broccoli, and pasta. Lock lid and set cook time for 2 minutes.
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After cooktime is through, do a quick release and open the lid after it unlocks. Give everything a stir and check the pasta to see if it’s cooked to your liking. If it needs a little more time, just place the lid back for a minute or two, and the pasta will cook in the heat.
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Sprinkle with crushed red pepper for a little heat (or not) and top evenly with Parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
21 Day Fix: 1 RED, 1/2 to 1 GREEN (depending on how much broccoli you use), 1 YELLOW, 1/2 BLUE, 1/2 tsp (per serving)
WW link for personal points: Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
Nutrition