Name: Orecchiette Pasta with Kale and Sausage
Ingredients: For the Pasta: 1 lb orecchiette pasta; 1 lb mild Italian sausage (casing removed); 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 1½ cups heavy cream; 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving); Sea salt, to taste; Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste; 2 tsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon); 1 bunch kale (Tuscan or lacinato), stems discarded, leaves roughly chopped (~4 cups); Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)

Description

Orecchiette Pasta with Kale and Sausage is a creamy, comforting, and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. Featuring tender orecchiette, garlicky Italian sausage, fresh kale, and a bright lemon-Parmesan sauce, this recipe delivers a balanced combination of richness and freshness. Whether for family meals or a dinner party, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Pasta:
- 1 lb orecchiette pasta
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage (casing removed)
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 bunch kale (Tuscan or lacinato), stems discarded, leaves roughly chopped (~4 cups)
- Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, following package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Cook the Sausage:
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into small pieces, until browned (about 8 minutes).
Sauté Garlic:
- Add sliced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage and garlic to a bowl, leaving the fat in the skillet.
Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly (about 2 minutes). Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add Kale and Lemon Juice:
- Stir in lemon juice, ½ cup reserved pasta water, and kale. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kale is wilted.
Combine and Serve:
- Return the sausage and garlic to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Stir to combine. Adjust the sauce consistency with additional pasta water if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with more Parmesan, red pepper flakes (if desired), and additional salt and pepper.

Category: Dinner