A hearty and delicious pasta bake featuring savory sausage, tender broccoli, and creamy cheeses, perfect for a family dinner.
Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Greasing the dish prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt, and blanch the broccoli florets for 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Blanching helps retain the vibrant green color of the broccoli.
In the same pot, cook the pasta until al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Cooking the pasta slightly underdone prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the turkey sausage, breaking it into pieces, until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
Using a wooden spoon helps break the sausage into even pieces.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sausage, broccoli, beans, ricotta, half of the mozzarella, and half of the pecorino. Mix well.
Mix gently to avoid breaking the pasta.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and the remaining cheeses.
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly for a crispy topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.
Allowing the bake to cool slightly makes it easier to serve.
