Sausage Kale Pasta

Sausage kale pasta is a super creamy and quick pasta dish that you can have on the table in just 30 minutes. With crispy bits of Italian sausage, crisp kale and a smooth sauce, this is a meal that you’ll want to eat on repeat!

You may also like my Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta or Chicken Broccoli Pasta next.

A quick and easy pasta dish is often a lifesaver on busy weeknights in our home, and this sausage kale pasta is a true family favorite.

It’s one of those cozy and comforting pasta dishes that’s loaded with bits of browned Italian sausage in a creamy tomato sauce and topped off with freshly grated Parmesan. Perfection doesn’t even begin to cover it!

The Tuscan kale is a great way to sneak in some veggies, and I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream to keep the sauce a bit lighter.

Why you’ll love this sausage kale pasta

• The tomato creamy sauce is seriously addictive!
• It’s super easy to make, just perfect for a busy weeknight when all you want is a bowl of comfort.
• Simply brimming with flavors and a total crowd-pleaser!

What you’ll need

Italian sausage — Any kind of Italian sausage works here; if your sausage has casings, remove them before adding the sausage to the skillet.

Pasta — I like to make this pasta dish with orecchiette as they’re like little cups that capture the sauce perfectly. Any short pasta would do, though.

Onion and garlic — These add so much flavor to the base of the sauce, and it’s always best to use fresh.

Red chili flakes — Only use if you’d like your sauce to have a bit of a kick.

Tomato paste — Use double or triple-concentrated tomato paste for extra flavor.

Dry white wine — Deglazing the pan with a bit of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or any other dry white wine adds a touch of fancy.

If you prefer to cook without alcohol, low-sodium chicken broth works great here.

Black kale (cavolo nero) — I love Tuscan kale in this recipe, but you can use your favorite or even spinach if you’re not a kale fan.

Half and half (single cream) — makes the sauce creamy while keeping it a bit lighter.

Grated Parmesan — Use freshly grated whenever possible for the best flavor. Parmigiano reggiano is always the best choice.

How to make sausage and kale pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously and cook the orecchiette according to the timings on the package until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent.

Add the Italian sausage and cook for a couple of minutes until browned. Break it apart with your spoon as you go.

Stir in the garlic and red chili flakes and continue to cook for another minute.

Mix in the tomato paste, then pour in the dry white wine. Let it simmer until slightly reduced.

Add the chopped kale and cook for 5 minutes with a lid on until wilted.

Lower the heat, then stir in the half and half and simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens a bit.

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to make sure it’s well covered in sauce. If it looks too dry, stir in some of the pasta water.

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately, with some extra Parmesan on top if you like.

Helpful tips

• Since the Italian sausage and Parmesan can be quite salty, it’s a good idea to adjust the seasoning only when the dish is ready.
• Don’t forget to save some of the pasta water! Reserve the water when the pasta is about done cooking to get all that starch that will make the sauce stick well to the pasta.
• Place a lid on the skillet after adding the kale so it wilts quickly.

Substitutions and variations

• I used mild Italian sausage, but you can try spicy Italian sausage if you’d like more heat.
• For a leaner, healthier version, use turkey sausage or chicken sausage instead.
• Use heavy cream (double cream) for an even richer and creamier sauce.

What to serve with kale sausage pasta

This pasta with kale and sausage is filling and satisfying enough on its own as a main dish, but if you want to serve it with sides, here are some ideas:

• Garlic bread — perfect for soaking up the delicious leftover sauce!
• A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing works well to balance the richness of the pasta dish.
• Steamed broccoli — this is a healthy and easy side, perfect for a well-rounded meal.

Leftovers and storage

• Store any leftovers for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
• Reheat the pasta gently on the stovetop, adding a bit of half and half or chicken stock to make it creamy again. Alternatively, reheat it in the microwave.
• I don’t recommend freezing this pasta dish.

If you liked this sausage kale pasta recipe, you might also like some of my other super easy pasta recipes:

• Creamy Sausage and Mushroom Pasta
• Bacon Leek Pasta
• Chicken Liver Pasta
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

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