Description

This Cheesy Sausage and Broccoli Pasta with Crescent Rolls is a comforting one-dish dinner that combines tender pasta, flavorful Italian sausage, fresh broccoli, and creamy cheese sauce all baked with golden crescent rolls for a crispy, buttery crust. Easy to prepare and perfect for family meals, it offers a delicious balance of protein, veggies, and cheesy goodness.

Ingredients

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Pasta and Sausage Mixture

8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup cream cheese
½ cup milk
Salt and pepper, to taste

Crescent Rolls

1 tube refrigerated crescent rolls (8-count)
1 tablespoon melted butter (optional, for brushing)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
Cook Sausage and Veggies: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add Italian sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks for about 5–7 minutes until browned and crumbled.
Add Garlic and Broccoli: Stir in minced garlic and chopped broccoli florets. Cook for another 3–4 minutes until the broccoli is tender but still vibrant.
Create Cheese Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese, milk, and shredded cheddar cheese into the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt into a creamy sauce.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta into the skillet and toss everything thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the cheesy sausage and broccoli mixture. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
Prepare Crescent Roll Crust: Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into individual triangles. Arrange these triangles around the edges of the prepared baking dish with the points facing outward, forming a ring or crust shape.
Fill and Fold: Spoon the pasta mixture into the center of the baking dish, spreading it evenly but leaving crescent edges visible. Optionally fold the tips of the crescent dough partially over the filling for added texture.
Brush with Butter: Brush the crescent roll crust with melted butter to help achieve a golden, flavorful crust once baked.
Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes or until the crescent rolls turn golden brown and are fully cooked through.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly for a few minutes before serving warm.

Notes

Using pre-steamed broccoli can reduce overall cooking time.
Swap Italian sausage for ground turkey or plant-based sausage to fit dietary preferences.
Add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce for a spicy kick.
Brush crescent rolls with garlic butter for added flavor.
This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking for convenience.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 460
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 640mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 65mg