Sausage and Kale Rigatoni
This Savory Sausage and Kale Rigatoni is a delicious and nutritious Italian-American fusion dish that combines the heartiness of pasta with the health benefits of kale. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage sweet or spicy, your choice!
- 1 large bunch of kale stems removed and leaves chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparing the pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Cooking the sausage to perfection:
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the sausage from its casing and crumble it into the skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
Sautéing the kale and other vegetables:
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Toss in the chopped kale and cook for another 3-4 minutes until it's wilted and tender.
Combining all elements for the final dish:
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the sausage and kale. Pour in 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water and the remaining olive oil. Toss everything together, adding more pasta water if needed to create a light sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Pro tip: For a healthier twist, try using chicken or turkey sausage. And if kale isn't your thing, spinach or Swiss chard make excellent substitutes!