Creamy & Cheesy Sausage & Broccoli Skillet (Keto, One-Pan & Quick Dinner!)
Whip up a satisfying and flavorful meal in a single pan with this Creamy & Cheesy Sausage & Broccoli Skillet! Hearty sausage and crisp-tender broccoli are enveloped in a rich, peppery Boursin cheese sauce, then topped with melted mozzarella. It’s an incredibly easy, low-carb, high-protein, and gluten-free dinner perfect for busy weeknights!
Yields: 3-4 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground sausage of choice (e.g., pork sausage, Italian sausage, or breakfast sausage; check for no added sugar or fillers)
- 1 (12-16 ounce) bag fresh or frozen broccoli florets
- 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ (2.6-ounce) wheel Boursin cheese (we used the Cracked Pepper flavor, but Garlic & Herb or Chive & Onion also work great!)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Equipment:
- Large skillet with a lid
- Spatula or wooden spoon
Instructions:
- Melt Butter & Cook Sausage: Place your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and melt it. If your sausage is very lean, you might want to use 2 tablespoons.
- Add the ground sausage to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook until it is fully browned and cooked through, with no pink remaining. Drain any excess grease from the cooked sausage.
- Add Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets (fresh or frozen) to the skillet with the cooked sausage.
- Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the broccoli to begin to soften.
- Season & Add Creamy Sauce: Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream and add the ½ wheel of Boursin cheese.
- Stir well, breaking up the Boursin cheese with your spatula, until the cheese is completely melted and forms a smooth, creamy sauce coating the sausage and broccoli.
- Simmer & Tenderize Broccoli: Once the sauce is smooth, reduce the heat to medium-low. Put the lid on the skillet and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp (cooked through but still has a slight bite). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Melt Cheese & Serve: Remove the lid. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the sausage and broccoli mixture.
- Cover the skillet again with the lid and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Enjoy! Remove from heat and serve warm directly from the skillet.
Tips for Success:
- Sausage Choice: Any bulk ground sausage works! Ground pork sausage, Italian sausage (mild or hot), or even ground turkey/chicken sausage (check sugar content) are great options.
- Don’t Drain All Grease: If using a leaner sausage, you might not need to drain much grease, as it adds flavor to the dish.
- Broccoli Doneness: Adjust cooking time for broccoli based on your preference – cook longer for softer, less time for more crisp.
- Boursin Flavor: The cracked pepper Boursin adds a nice kick, but Garlic & Fine Herbs or Chive & Onion are also delicious and keto-friendly choices.
- One-Pan Convenience: This truly is a one-pan meal, making cleanup a breeze!
Storage: Store any leftover Sausage & Broccoli Skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification
- High Protein: Yes, this recipe is very high in protein from the sausage and cheeses.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb. All ingredients are naturally low in carbohydrates.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
- Ground Sausage: Crucial to check labels for hidden sugars or fillers, as some brands can contain them.
- Boursin Cheese: Generally keto-friendly; verify specific flavors for any unexpected added sugars (though less common in savory versions).
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided the ground sausage and Boursin cheese are certified gluten-free (most are, but always good to check labels).
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