pasta with chicken sausage and broccoli

We bought some sun-dried tomato and basil chicken sausage at Trader Joe's today, so we could try this healthy alternative to its pork counterpart. We have tried turkey sausage in the past and didn't care for it, so we weren't especially hopeful. However, we were pleasantly surprised; it was very flavorful and its texture was almost identical to that of regular sausage.

Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli

1 lb. mezze rigatoni
1/3 c. olive oil
1 1/2 lbs. chicken sausage, preferably Trader Joe's Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Chicken Sausage
5 cloves garlic, minced
Florets from 3 broccoli crowns
1/2 c. grated Pecorino Romano

Remove casings from chicken sausage. Heat 2 tbs. olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, and cook sausage until browned. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water, and steam broccoli.

Cook garlic in pan, until light golden. Add broccoli, and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add remaining olive oil, chicken sausage and cooked pasta, along with some pasta water. Toss with cheese, and season with crushed red pepper and salt.