One Pan Broccoli Cheddar Sausage Pasta

Name: One Pan Broccoli Cheddar Sausage Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 14 oz smoked cheddar sausage, sliced; 1 small onion, diced; 1 10 oz bag steamable broccoli florets, steamed; 2 packets Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Pasta; 3 cups water; 1 cup milk; 2 tbsp butter; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 tsp garlic salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tbsp Kinder’s Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning

One pan dinners are hard to beat when they come together with smoked sausage, broccoli, cheddar cheese, and pasta all in the same skillet.

Browned smoked cheddar sausage gives the dish a savory, slightly crispy bite before the onion, steamed broccoli, and seasonings get mixed in. The Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Pasta cooks right in the skillet with water, milk, and butter, soaking up all that flavor while turning thick and creamy.

Once the pasta is tender, a full bag of shredded cheddar cheese gets stirred in until everything is melted, cheesy, and coated in sauce. The broccoli adds that classic cheddar broccoli flavor, while the sausage makes the whole meal hearty enough for dinner.

No separate sauce, no extra pot, and no complicated steps — just a big skillet of creamy broccoli cheddar sausage pasta that tastes like comfort food without making a huge mess.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Made in one skillet with simple ingredients.
Loaded with smoked cheddar sausage, broccoli, pasta, and melted cheddar cheese.
Creamy broccoli cheddar flavor without making a separate sauce.
Perfect quick dinner when you want something filling and easy.
Great comfort food meal with very little cleanup.

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Ingredients

The base of this recipe starts with smoked cheddar sausage cooked until browned and slightly crispy, then diced onion and steamed broccoli are added for extra flavor and texture. Garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Kinder’s Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning give the skillet a savory seasoned base before the pasta goes in.

Two packets of Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Pasta cook directly in the skillet with water, milk, and butter. Once the pasta is tender and the liquid has mostly absorbed, shredded cheddar cheese gets stirred in to make the whole dish creamy, cheesy, and ready to serve.

14 oz smoked cheddar sausage, sliced
1 small onion, diced
1 (10 oz) bag steamable broccoli florets, steamed
2 packets Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Pasta
3 cups water
1 cup milk
2 tbsp butter
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 full bag
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp Kinder’s Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning

How To Make One Pan Broccoli Cheddar Sausage Pasta

Step 1: Brown Sausage

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked cheddar sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy around the edges.

Step 2: Add Onion

Add the diced onion and cook until softened and lightly browned.

Step 3: Add Broccoli

Stir in the steamed broccoli florets.

Step 4: Season

Season everything with garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Kinder’s Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning. Mix well.

Step 5: Add Pasta Packets

Add both packets of Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Pasta to the skillet.

Step 6: Add Liquid and Butter

Pour in the water and milk, then add the butter. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.

Step 7: Simmer

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 8: Add Cheddar Cheese

Add the entire bag of shredded cheddar cheese and stir until completely melted and creamy.

Step 9: Serve

Serve hot and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar if you want a little heat. It melts into the pasta and gives the creamy broccoli cheddar base a spicy twist.
Add cooked bacon at the end for a smoky loaded version. The bacon adds crunch and makes the skillet taste even more like a loaded cheddar broccoli pasta.
Swap the smoked sausage for diced grilled chicken if you want a chicken broccoli cheddar pasta version. The method stays the same, but the flavor turns a little lighter.
Add extra broccoli if you want more vegetables throughout the pasta. Just make sure it is steamed first so it blends into the skillet without adding too much extra cook time.
Top each serving with extra cheddar or crushed crackers for more texture. The crunchy topping works well with the creamy pasta and smoky sausage.

Tips for Success

Brown the smoked sausage before adding the other ingredients so the edges get crispy and the skillet starts with more flavor.
Steam the broccoli before adding it so it is already tender and only needs to warm through in the skillet.
Stir the pasta occasionally while it simmers so it cooks evenly and does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
Keep the heat at a gentle simmer after boiling so the pasta has time to absorb the liquid without scorching.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese at the end so it melts smoothly into the creamy pasta.
Let the pasta sit for a couple minutes before serving if you want the sauce to thicken up more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different sausage?

Yes, you can use regular smoked sausage, kielbasa, turkey smoked sausage, or another fully cooked sausage you like. Smoked cheddar sausage adds extra cheesy flavor, but the recipe will still work with other varieties. Just slice it and brown it the same way before adding the onion.

Do I need to cook the Knorr pasta before adding it?

No, the Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Pasta goes into the skillet dry. It cooks directly in the water, milk, butter, and seasonings, which helps it absorb more flavor. Stir it occasionally as it simmers so the pasta cooks evenly and the sauce thickens properly.

Can I use fresh broccoli instead of steamable broccoli?

Yes, fresh broccoli can work if you cook it slightly before adding it to the skillet. You can steam it, microwave it, or blanch it until it is just tender. Adding raw broccoli directly may not give it enough time to soften before the pasta is finished.

How do I keep the pasta creamy?

The milk, butter, pasta packets, and shredded cheddar cheese help create the creamy texture. Be careful not to cook the pasta on heat that is too high after it comes to a boil, because the liquid can reduce too fast. If it gets too thick, stir in a splash of milk before serving.

How should I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will thicken as it sits because it continues to absorb the sauce. Reheat with a splash of milk or water and stir well until creamy again.

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One Pan Broccoli Cheddar Sausage Pasta

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A creamy one pan dinner made with smoked cheddar sausage, broccoli, onion, Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Pasta, milk, butter, seasonings, and shredded cheddar cheese.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients

14 oz smoked cheddar sausage, sliced
1 small onion, diced
1 10 oz bag steamable broccoli florets, steamed
2 packets Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Pasta
3 cups water
1 cup milk
2 tbsp butter
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp Kinder’s Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning

Method

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked cheddar sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy around the edges.
Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened and lightly browned.
Stir in the steamed broccoli florets.
Season everything with garlic salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Kinder’s Buttery Garlic & Herb Seasoning. Mix well so the sausage, onion, and broccoli are evenly coated.
Add both packets of Knorr Broccoli Cheddar Pasta to the skillet.
Pour in the water and milk, then add the butter. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Add the entire bag of shredded cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is completely melted and the pasta is creamy.
Serve hot and enjoy.

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Hey, I'm Scotty

What started as just messing around in the kitchen and posting recipes online quickly turned into something way bigger than I ever expected. At first, it was just a side hustle—sharing simple, easy meals that anyone could make without overthinking it.