Broccoli, Sausage and Shells in Balsamic Sauce

In a large saucepan or pasta pot bring 3 quarts water to boiling. Add pasta. Reduce heat slightly. Boil, uncovered, for 12-14 minutes, or till pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally. Add broccoli to the pan during the last 5 minutes of cooking. (Or, cook according to package directions, adding broccoli the last 5 minutes.) Immediately drain. Return pasta and broccoli to warm pan.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook sausage links, covered, in 1/2 cup boiling water for 15 minutes. Drain off liquid in skillet. Add olive oil and garlic to sausages in skillet and cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes, turning sausages to brown them on all sides. Remove from heat. Discard garlic and reserve 1 tablespoon of the pan drippings in the skillet. Cool sausage links, then bias-slice into 1/4-inch-thick pieces.

Stir flour and crushed red pepper into reserved drippings in skillet. Add chicken broth all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat till thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Stir in balsamic vinegar. Pour chicken broth mixture over pasta-broccoli mixture. Add sausage and toss to mix well; heat through. Serve immediately.