1poundbroccolinistems sliced crosswise into ¼ inch coins, and tops cut into small florets
½teaspoondried chili flakes
½cupwhipped ricottasee below
1cupfreshly grated Parmesan Cheese
¼cuppanko breadcrumbstoasted with 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Ricotta
1 ½cupswhole-milk ricotta cheese
½teaspoonkosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
¼cupextra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and break up with the back of a wooden spoon and cook for roughly 6 minutes until it starts to brown.
Add the broccoli coins, the remaining olive oil and sliced garlic to the skillet. Toss the sausage and keep cooking until the sausage is just about fully browned and the garlic is fragrant. Add the chili flakes and season with salt and pepper.
While the sausage is browning, cook the pasta according to the package directions. About 3 minutes before the pasta should be al dente, add the broccoli florets and cook all together, until the pasta is al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water
Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to the skillet with the sausage and return skillet to the heat. Add the drained pasta, the whipped ricotta, and half of the Parmesan. Stir the ingredients in the pan to combine the ingredients, put back over medium heat, and cook for a couple of minutes to warm everything through and make a saucy consistency. Serve with more Parm and top with the breadcrumbs.
To make the Ricotta
Put the ricotta, salt and plenty of pepper in a food processor and start to process. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a thin stream. Pause and scrape down the sides if needed. The mixture should get lovely and creamy. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper as needed. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
Always dip out some pasta cooking water before draining your pot. No matter what type of sauce you are making, it's the perfect way to finish it off.