Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli in a Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe

I absolutely love sharing this Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli in a Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe because it’s one of those meals that feels fancy but comes together in no time. When I first tried this, I was amazed how the creamy tomato sauce melds perfectly with the spicy sausage and bright, tender broccoli. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or impressing friends, this recipe hits all the right notes—comfort, flavor, and ease.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pot Convenience: You cook your pasta and sauce all in one pan, minimizing cleanup.
Balanced Flavors: The spicy sausage, creamy tomato sauce, and fresh broccoli create a harmonious taste.
Quick to Make: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
Versatile Ingredients: Easy to find and flexible—swap proteins or pasta shapes as you like.

A large white pan filled with farfalle pasta, cooked ground meat scattered evenly, bright green broccolini pieces mixed throughout, and red sun-dried tomatoes adding color contrast. The pasta is sprinkled lightly with grated cheese, giving a fine textured white layer on top. Around the pan, a small white bowl with coarse white cheese holding a yellow spoon rests on a white marbled surface, accompanied by a beige cloth with two forks on it, and a second white speckled plate with a wooden spoon to the side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is all about simple, tasty ingredients that work beautifully together. I always recommend using good quality Italian sausage and fresh broccolini for the best flavor. The sun-dried tomatoes bring a subtle tang that really lifts the creamy sauce.

Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps brown the sausage beautifully.
Italian sausage (uncooked, removed from casings): Choose a spicy or mild version depending on your heat preference; I love spicy for a little kick.
Yellow onion (chopped): Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning the pasta water and sauce properly.
Garlic cloves (finely chopped): Infuses the dish with aromatic flavor.
Crushed red chili flakes: Just enough heat to balance the creaminess without overwhelming.
Sun-dried tomatoes (moist and sliced): Give a chewy texture and a burst of umami flavor.
Chicken broth: Creates a flavorful base for the sauce to simmer in.
Broccolini (trimmed and sliced): Adds a fresh, slightly crunchy green element that’s perfect here.
Dried short pasta (like bowties): Bow-tie pasta is my personal favorite for holding onto sauce, but penne or rigatoni works great too.
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously smooth and rich.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish that ties everything together.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love tinkering with this Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli in a Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe because it’s so adaptable. Feel free to swap out ingredients to make it your own comfort food classic.

Protein Swap: I sometimes use ground turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter option, and it still tastes fantastic.
Vegetable Add-ins: Adding mushrooms or bell peppers gives extra layers of flavor and texture.
Dairy-Free Version: I’ve replaced heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and used nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan—won’t replicate the exact taste, but it’s a tasty alternative.
Fresh Herbs: Basil or parsley stirred in at the end brightens the dish beautifully for a fresh finish.

How to Make Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli in a Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Build Your Base

Heat your wide pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once shimmering, toss in the sausage that you’ve taken out of its casings—breaking it up with your spoon as it browns. I like to cook it thoroughly until no pink remains, about 5 minutes, to develop those rich, caramelized bits. Transfer the cooked sausage to a plate but keep the pan fat; it’s packed with flavor you’ll use next.

Step 2: Sauté Onion, Garlic, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Add chopped onion to the pan along with a splash of broth or water to deglaze all those tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom. Cook until the onion softens, about 1-2 minutes. Then stir in salt, garlic, chili flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking just long enough until you can smell the garlic’s aroma—that’s the moment when flavor really kicks in.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce and Cook the Pasta

Return the sausage to the pan and pour in the chicken broth, bringing everything up to a gentle simmer. While it simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta for exactly 8 minutes. This timing is key because you want your pasta just shy of fully cooked—it’ll soak up extra flavor in the sauce without getting mushy later.

Step 4: Add Broccoli and Finish the Sauce

About 30 seconds before the pasta is ready, drop the broccolini into the boiling water too—it’ll cook just perfectly. Drain the pasta and broccoli, then add everything into your pan with the sauce. Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Turn the heat to medium-high and let it simmer for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the pasta. This is where the magic happens—you’ll see the sauce go from thin to rich and velvety.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Dish out warm bowls and top with extra Parmesan for that signature salty pop. Sometimes I add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a few fresh basil leaves for aroma. You’re going to get so many compliments, trust me.

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Pro Tips for Making Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli in a Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe

Perfect Pasta Timing: Set a timer for 8 minutes so you don’t overcook the pasta before finishing it in the sauce—it makes all the difference.
Reserve Pasta Water: If your sauce seems too thick, a splash of pasta water loosens it without diluting flavor.
Deglaze Like a Pro: Don’t skip adding broth or water when cooking onions; it lifts browned flavors from the pan bottoms for a deeper sauce.
Avoid Watery Sauce: Don’t dump all the broth at once—add gradually and simmer till you get your desired creaminess.

How to Serve Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli in a Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe

The image shows a white bowl filled with three layers of food. The bottom layer is creamy pasta shaped like bow ties, light yellow in color with a smooth texture. The middle layer contains small ground meat pieces mixed evenly, brown and cooked. The top layer has chopped green herbs and small red tomato bits sprinkled across, adding color. Behind the bowl, a large speckled gray pan also containing the pasta is visible on a white marbled surface. Part of a woman's hand holding the bowl is seen, with a green leaf at the bottom edge of the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For garnishes, I’m all about sprinkling freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a scattering of crushed red pepper flakes if you want to amp up the heat. Sometimes I throw on fresh basil or parsley leaves to brighten it up. A little drizzle of extra virgin olive oil right before serving brings everything together with a lovely finish.

Side Dishes

This dish is pretty hearty, but a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette is my go-to side to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or a warm crusty baguette always rounds the meal out perfectly, especially if you want to scoop up leftover sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I love serving this pasta in shallow bowls topped with a little microgreens and a Parmesan crisp on the side—it adds class without much extra effort. You can also plate it family-style in a big serving dish and let everyone help themselves, which makes dinner feel cozy and communal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they keep well for up to 3 days. The pasta absorbs the sauce more over time, so next day, it’s even more flavorful but a bit thicker.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this pasta a couple of times by portioning it out into freezer-safe containers. Just be sure to cool completely before freezing to avoid sogginess. When thawed, the broccoli texture softens a bit, but the flavors still shine.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to bring back silky sauce texture. Microwaving works in a pinch, but stirring halfway through helps prevent dry spots.

FAQs

Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While bow-tie pasta is great for this recipe because its shape holds onto sauce well, penne, rigatoni, or even farfalle work beautifully too. The key is to pick a short pasta that will catch the creamy tomato sauce.
Is there a vegetarian version of this Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli in a Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe?

Yes! You can swap the Italian sausage for plant-based sausage or simply omit it and add extra veggies like mushrooms or zucchini. Using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth keeps it fully vegetarian while preserving great flavor.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prep ingredients in advance—chop onions, garlic, and broccolini or even cook the sausage ahead—but I recommend cooking the pasta and finishing the dish fresh to keep the best texture and flavor.
How spicy is this recipe and can I adjust the heat?

The crushed red chili flakes add a mild heat, but you can easily adjust to your liking. Leave them out for no heat or add more if you love kicking up the spice. Using spicy Italian sausage also adds heat, so choose sausage based on your tolerance.

Final Thoughts

This Bow-Tie Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli in a Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it delivers comfort without fuss. I love that it’s approachable for cooks of all levels and perfect for any night of the week. Give it a try—you’ll find the creamy sauce, hearty sausage, and tender broccoli make a combination that just can’t be beat. I’m confident this recipe will become one of your favorites too!