Rigatoni With Kale And Sausage

I love kale in all its forms – raw in sandwiches, sautéed as a side, or mixed into hearty stews. After making a pork belly stew recently, I found myself with leftover kale and some chicken apple sausages in the fridge. The combination inspired this quick and satisfying pasta dish that brings together the earthiness of kale with the sweet-savory notes of the sausage. This recipe serves 4 people generously.

What makes this dish special is its simplicity and flexibility. The key is timing the pasta cooking with the sausage and kale preparation, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. A finishing touch of crème fraîche adds luxurious creaminess that elevates this weeknight dinner into something special.

Yield: 4

Rigatoni With Kale And Sausage

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A quick and satisfying pasta dish combining rigatoni with sautéed kale and chicken apple sausage, finished with creamy crème fraîche. This versatile recipe serves 4 and comes together in just over 30 minutes.

Prep Time 12 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 32 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound rigatoni pasta
• 8 ounces chicken apple sausage, sliced
• 4 cups fresh kale, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup crème fraîche
• 1 cup reserved pasta water
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
2. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions.
3. When pasta has 7 minutes left, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add sliced sausages to the skillet.
5. Cook sausages until they begin to brown.
6. Add chopped kale to the skillet.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Add minced garlic.
9. Cook until kale is wilted but still bright green.
10. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining pasta.
11. Add pasta to the skillet with kale and sausage.
12. Stir in crème fraiche.
13. Add pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
14. Toss everything together until well combined.
15. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For best results, don’t overcook the kale – it should retain some texture and its bright green color. If the dish seems dry, don’t hesitate to add more pasta water. The starch in the water helps create a silky sauce when combined with the crème fraîche.

Try different variations by using spicy Italian sausage instead of chicken apple sausage, or substitute the crème fraîche with heavy cream or mascarpone. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though you may need to add a splash of water when reheating.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 298Total Fat: 11gSodium: 450mgCarbohydrates: 24.3gFiber: 1.9gSugar: 0.7gProtein: 22.9g