Looking For A Ground Sausage Recipe Without Pasta? Here’s A Healthy, Family-Friendly Dinner That’s Ready In 20 Minutes

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My kids are opposites. If one kid likes something, there’s a 99 percent chance the other doesn’t. The exception is pasta. But we can’t eat pasta every night.

So when I made this ground sausage recipe with broccoli and grapes, and everyone liked it, I knew it had to go into our dinner rotation. As I made it more and more, I realized that it was the perfect weeknight meal. It’s healthy and easy to adapt based on what’s in the pantry, and even the pickiest eaters will like it! 

Want a healthy ground sausage recipe without pasta?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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What You’ll Need To Make Our Ground Sausage Recipe Without Pasta

The beauty of this healthy ground sausage recipe without pasta is its flexibility and simplicity. Most ingredients have numerous substitutions, and the dish comes together in under 30 minutes.

INGREDIENTS

Ground Sausage 

We used the Italian style, but any type will do. Chicken and turkey sausage also work! If you can’t find ground, take the casing off the links and crumble as it cooks.

Farro

We love this ancient grain for its hearty taste and numerous health benefits. Farro contains fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Preparing and getting on the table in under 30 minutes is also easy. If farro isn’t your thing, try brown rice or quinoa. 

Broccoli

You want a head of broccoli chopped into small florets. Frozen will also work or substitute for other greens. We’ve successfully used broccoli rabe and spinach.

Seedless Red Grapes

This secret ingredient adds the flavor kids love. If you have little ones, cut the grapes, so they don’t become a choking hazard. 

Olive Oil

You need just one tablespoon to cook the sausage. Feel free to substitute avocado oil which has a high smoke point and is an excellent alternative.

Balsamic Reduction/Glaze

This sauce, made by boiling balsamic vinegar until it concentrates, adds a tangy sweetness that finishes off the dish. Cafe Delites has an excellent tutorial. But I’ve burnt it several times, so I bought a bottle. It lasts for a while and never goes to waste. You can leave the sauce off or try Japanese BBQ sauce for an umami flavor. 

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

Frying Pan

Everything except the grains cooks at once, so you want a large frying pan to hold it all. At least 12” is ideal, and straight high sides keep oil from splashing out and making a mess of your cooktop.

Pot

A 2 or 3-quart saucepan should be large enough to hold the farro.

Meat Masher

We find ourselves reaching for this utensil frequently. It’s an excellent tool for crumbling sausage into small pieces. It’s dishwasher-safe, too! Check it out on Amazon.

Step By Step Instructions

1. Cook the grains.

Follow the instructions on the package and cook the farro. 

2. Brown the meat.

Heat 1 Tbsp. Olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add sausage to the pan and cook until it starts to brown, breaking up any large pieces. It takes about 5-6 minutes. 

3. Cook the broccoli.

Once the meat is cooked, push it to the side of the pan and add the chopped broccoli. Cover and cook until broccoli reaches your desired tenderness. It takes about 4 minutes for it to be tender-crisp. 

4. Warm the grapes.

Add the grapes to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until warm.

5. Serve!

Combine the farro and sausage mixture in a large bowl and serve. If you have picky eaters, keep everything separate. 

What Do You Think?

What’s your favorite ground sausage recipe without pasta? Let me know in the comments below; I’d love to read!