Sicilian Broccoli Pasta with Sausage and Chard.
My Sicilian hubby introduced me to pasta with broccoli and it really was love at first bite! Since then, I have eaten different versions of this typical Southern Italian dish. All delicious, but this Sicilian broccoli pasta with sausage and chard is definitely one of my favourites! It’s super tasty and healthy too, especially if you make it with organic ancient grain pasta from Sicily, as I did!
Pasta con Broccoli, Salsiccia e Bietole
Broccoli pasta is a very traditional in Southern Italy. You can find different versions of it in most of the South Italian regions particularly Sicily, Puglia, Calabria and Campania. It is most often made without meat. But, when meat is added, it’s usually sausage meat.
(Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link. I have not been compensated for writing this post and all opinions are mine but I may earn commission if you purchase products through the affiliate link on this post)
Other versions of Sicilian broccoli pasta.
In Sicily, the most traditional version of pasta with broccoli is called ‘pasta con i broccoli ‘arriminati’. ‘Arriminati’ simply means mixed. It refers to the fact that the broccoli and pasta are mixed together in the pan before serving. This recipe is also made with cauliflower. Typical Sicilian pasta with broccoli doesn’t include meat, but often has anchovies in it. It also usually includes sultanas, pine nuts, saffron and toasted breadcrumbs.
The Pasta.
Traditionally, Sicilian broccoli pasta is often made with bucatini. However, many people use short pasta tubes such as penne, rigatoni or short ziti. I used organic tortiglioni (tortiglioni is very similar to elicoidale or rigatoni) This tortiglioni was made with an ancient Sicilian grain called ‘Russello’. This pasta was sent to me to try by a company called Us Authentic Italian Experience. They sell this tortiglioni, other types of ancient grain pasta and some delicious Sicilian food products in the US, Canada and Europe. I was already a fan of organic ancient grain pastas and have posted a couple of other recipes with these types of pasta. So, I was thrilled to be asked to review this brand.
Is pasta healthy?
I know there are people (not normally Italians) who don’t think pasta is healthy! But, there is pasta and there is PASTA! Mass produced pasta may not be healthy, especially if produced with flour made from wheat that has been sprayed with all kinds of nasty things like the herbicide Glysophate! In fact, although the pasta you buy may be ‘made in Italy’, the wheat used is not always Italian! So, in reality, despite the fact that Glysophate is banned in Europe, some Italian pasta and a lot of foreign made pasta contain it!
Organic Sicilian ancient grain pasta
But, there is lots of healthy pasta out there! At the top end of the healthy pasta scale is organic pasta made in Sicily with ancient grains. Ancient grains, also called heritage grains, are ancient varieties of wheat which haven’t been altered to produce higher yields. These grains lost popularity with producers because they have a lower yield and thus production costs are higher. However, pasta and other wheat products made with heritage grains are becoming more and more popular again. This is because apart from being healthier, they are better tolerated by people who have problems with gluten!
If you are interested in trying some of this organic Sicilian ancient grains pasta check out the Us Authentic Italian Experience online shop. Use the coupon code THEPASTAPROJECT and get a 10% discount!
Why I liked this organic pasta.
Russello, the wheat used to make the tortiglioni in this Sicilian broccoli pasta with sausage recipe, is an ancient Sicilian wheat variety that is very digestible and healthy. I have yet to try other pasta from Us Authentic Italian experience (they sent me a few packets, plus a meal kit which includes pesto made in Sicily), but the tortiglioni was exceptionally good. It has a slightly nuttier taste than white pasta. I guess because it’s whole wheat. A bit like the difference between white bread and whole wheat bread. I especially liked the fact that it held together so well with cooking! I’ve tried a number of artisan pasta types that fell apart in the boiling water! I’m not kidding! Of course, I haven’t posted about them on The Pasta Project!
This version of Sicilian broccoli pasta.
This version of Sicilian broccoli pasta is a little different from the one I mentioned above. Firstly it contains sausage meat. Sicilians usually use sausages made with fennel but you can use normal Italian pork sausage and add some fennel seeds if you wish. This Sicilian broccoli pasta doesn’t have saffron or sultanas, but does have pine nuts and garlicky toasted bread crumbs (yum!). In Sicily, they often use toasted breadcrumbs, which they call 'mollica tostata', on pasta dishes instead of grated cheese.
A healthy pasta dish!
This recipe also includes a wonderful puree of chard. Chard is very popular in Italy. In fact, it has been cultivated here since the times of Ancient Rome. Although commonly known as chard or Swiss chard, it is actually also called Sicilian beet or Roman kale! Chard is super healthy, as is broccoli. So, this is a dish that’s got so much goodness in it! Apart from the chard and broccoli, there is also leeks, and garlic and, of course, the organic Sicilian ancient grain pasta! I know you may not consider the sausages as healthy but we all need protein and sausage in pasta is so good that it wouldn’t be the same without it!
If you make this Sicilian broccoli pasta with sausage and chard recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out and if you liked it. So, please leave a comment here on the blog or on The Pasta Project Facebook page.
Buon appetito!
Some other pasta recipes from Sicily to try
- Pasta alla Norma
- Spaccatelle with Sicilian sun dried tomato pesto
- Reginette with swordfish, eggplant and mint
- Pasta with prawns, almonds and bottarga
Are you interested in trying some organic Sicilian ancient grains pasta? Then check out the US Authentic Italian Experience online shop. Use the coupon code THEPASTAPROJECT and get a 10% discount!
(Disclosure: I haven’t been compensated for writing this article and all opinions are my own but I may be compensated if you buy products through the affiliate link. However, this helps me cover my blog costs and keep it going! So thank you!)
Want to save this recipe for later?
You can bookmark this page, print this recipe or pin it for later.
Maddy says
I was just reading an article in Bon Appetit about being choosy when buying pasta. I’m not gonna lie, I used to just get the cheapest pasta but now I’m paying much more attention to their ingredients and the drying method. That organic pasta sound exactly like what I’m looking for!
Renu says
That sounds to be a very healthy combination with all those vegetables in it. Beautiful and tempting clicks.
Stine Mari says
You shine light on a very important issue here. I will definitely be more careful in the future, looking for organic (preferably Sicilian) pasta. This is definitely my kind of pasta. Roasted pine nuts really elevates the dish.
Lathiya says
The broccoli pasta looks delicious...the ingredients used in it surely enhances the flavor of the dish...
Ramona says
Wow, organic ancient grain pasta, I do not think I could find that here but will definitely look for buying this on line or of course next time I am over in Sicily. I would really love to try this pasta dish, I especially love the idea of adding breadcrumbs and the pine nuts - what a brilliant and appetising pasta dish. Love all the flavours, amazing combo!
Prajakta Sukhatme says
Comfort food at it's best! This organic Sicilian ancient grain pasta looks so healthy and super delicious. Will be perfect for busy weeknight meal planning.
Michelle Minnaar says
What a great comfort food and I really like the organic pasta, it looks flavourful and yummy!
Kelly Anthony says
This Sicilian broccoli pasta with sausage looks so comforting but also healthy. Love the green veggies especially the swiss chard puree.
Danielle says
Sausage in pasta is just so comforting. Love that you have added some veggies too.
Emily says
This is the kind of pasta that I love, healthy and full of flavor...yum!
Veena Azmanov says
Organic by itself makes this Pasta Healthy. This dish looks tasty too..The flavors are also amazing.
Corina Blum says
I love pasta recipes whenever I want an easy midweek meal and this recipe sounds so tasty, especially with the organic ancient grain pasta you've used - I'll have to look out for some!
Krista Price says
I am very intrigued by this pasta. I avoid wheat most of the time because it sometimes causes my eczema to flare up, 🙁 but pasta made from ancient grains may be something I can tolerate. I'm going to give this pasta a shot. Thank you for sharing!
Jacqui says
Thanks for your comment Krista, yes this organic Sicilian ancient grains pasta is definitely better for you than normal pasta. A lot healthier and you may well find you can tolerate it better!
Amanda says
I’ve never met a pasta I didn’t like, and I’m really into the idea of an organic pasta. I don’t think my local store carries anything like that, so I’ll defi check out that link.
Jacqui says
If you try this pasta, I'm sure you'll love it Amanda! It's super healthy and tasty too!
Gloria says
I am a pasta lover, so this is right up my alley. I am game for trying all kinds of different pastas, from regular to gluten-free and everything in the middle. Nothing beats a great organic pasta. This would be a great dinner any night of the week.
Jacqui says
Thank you Gloria! As you know I love all kinds of pasta too! However, this is definitely a healthier type than many and together with lots of veggies makes for a nutritious dinner!
kim says
What a great pasta dinner idea! Love that you used broccoli to bulk it up.
Jacqui says
Thanks Kim, pasta with broccoli is very popular in Southern Italy. In fact, broccoli originates from there, so I guess that's why it is used so much in traditional dishes!
Tara says
Oh, this looks like a fun change of pace for pasta night! High-quality organic pasta is hard to find -- will definitely check this out.
Jacqui says
If you try this organic pasta Tara, I'm sure you'll love it! Tasty, healthy and nutritious and it worked so well with the broccoli, chard and sausage!
Liz Schoch says
I love it! At first, I was waiting for the pesto to arrive, then I realized that beautiful green was JUST from the broccoli! The toasted pine nuts are such a perfect addition but I always forget that I have them! I am going to try this with gf pasta!!!
Jacqui says
Grazie Liz! Actually there is a chard puree in this recipe which contributes to the super green colour! Toasted pine nuts sprinkled over pasta is traditional in Sicily. I love using them!
Sherri says
This dish looks fabulous! Love all these flavors together! I actually gave up "modern" wheat for health reasons but have been looking into authentic Italian pasta made with ancient grains. I can't wait to check out this brand of organic ancient grain pasta! 🙂
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Sherri! I'm sure you'll like this brand of organic Sicilian ancient grains pasta. I thought it was delicious and love the fact that it's so much healthier than many other types of pasta!
Danielle Wolter says
This looks amazing! That organic pasta sounds delicious and I am loving the flavors you used here!
Jacqui says
Thank you dearest Danielle! Yes this organic pasta is really yummy! It worked so well with the broccoli, chard and sausage!