Family Friendly Pasta

I  made a really simple pasta dish tonight for dinner. I'm mostly writing about it so I don't forget what I did for the next time I want to make it. I could see this being a good weeknight dinner for when we have a family down the line. It's quick to make and doesn't require a whole lot of prep work and is simple enough that it seems like even a kid would eat it, or I hope so any way. I hope our kids aren't picky eaters! Well it did satisfy Mike's requirements and sometimes he is a picky eater too.

I'm sure I prob could have just come up with this on my own, it really wasn't difficult, but I used a combination of two recipes for inspiration. It was a combination of Pasta with Roasted Broccoli and Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Rabe. I combined them since I don't really care for broccoli rabe, roasting regular broccoli seemed easier too, and I had some chicken sausage I wanted to use.

Pasta with Roasted Broccoli & Chicken Sausage 
Inspired by: Skinny Taste

1 box of pasta
1 1/2 lbs broccoli florets
1 package chicken sausage - I used Trader Joe's Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage - Delicious!
6-8 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup low sodium fat free chicken broth
kosher salt and fresh pepper
1/4 cup fresh grated Pecorino Romano
Optional - 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (or more if necessary)

Preheat oven to 450°. In a baking dish combine broccoli, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Roast broccoli about 20 minutes, tossing half way, until broccoli is browned and tender.

Meanwhile, boil salted water in a large pot. Cook pasta according to package directions.

In a large deep sauté pan, brown sausage on medium heat. I simply sliced mine and sauteed it until lightly browned and warm (about 7 minutes). (Another option is to breaking up into small pieces as it cooks). When completely cooked through set aside in a dish or a bowl.

Drain pasta and add to the broccoli, add in sausage as well. Add chicken broth, parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if using. Add reserved pasta water as needed. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and toss another 30 seconds so that everything is mixed well and the pasta is coated with the sauce. Remove from heat and add to a large pasta dish or divide equally between 6 pasta bowls. Serve with additional grated cheese if you desire.