At Shared Family Recipes, the meals we come back to again and again are the ones that bring everything to the table—simple ingredients, cooked with care, and meant to be shared. This fettuccine with tomato onion sauce, sausage, and pan-seared broccoli is exactly that kind of dish. It’s hearty, balanced, and built from components that each add something special.
The slow-simmered tomato and onion sauce creates a rich, comforting base, while the sausage brings depth and savory flavor. The broccoli, seared until crisp at the edges, adds texture and a fresh contrast that keeps the whole dish from feeling too heavy. Together, it’s the kind of pasta that feels both familiar and just a little elevated.
Like many of the recipes shared here, this one is flexible and generous. You can make it for a weeknight dinner, double it for a gathering, or tweak it based on what you have on hand. However you serve it, it’s a reminder that good food doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs to be made with the intention of sharing it with others.
Fettuccine Recipe
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Serves
4
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine
- Salt, for pasta water
Tomato Onion Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes (or 2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped)
- ½ tsp salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
Pan-Seared Broccoli
- 12 oz Italian sausage (links or ground)
- 1 tsp olive oil (if needed)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- Optional: squeeze of lemon
Steps
1
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook fettuccine until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2
Make the Tomato Onion Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook 5–6 minutes until soft and slightly golden.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Stir in tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer 12–15 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan and adjust seasoning.
3
Cook the Sausage
- In a separate pan, cook sausage over medium heat.
- Break into bite-sized pieces if using ground sausage.
- Cook until browned and fully cooked (8–10 minutes).
- Set aside.
4
Pan-Sear the Broccoli
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add broccoli in a single layer.
- Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender with crispy edges.
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional lemon juice.
5
Bring It Together
- Add pasta to the tomato sauce.
- Toss, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
- Plate pasta and top with sausage and broccoli.
6
Cook the Pasta
- Finish with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil
- Optional: fresh basil or parsley