Sausage & Broccoli Pasta Delight

1.Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

2.In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

3.Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

4.Stir in the broccoli florets and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp.

5.Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

6.Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.

7.Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing well until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.

8.Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.