Date Night Rigatoni with Sausage and Kale
Chef’s Pick
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Calories
650
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Onion, diced
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups Kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
- 1 can Crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
-
Rigatoni - 1 pound
-
Italian sausage - 1 pound
Directions
Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a boil with 1 tsp of salt. While waiting for the water to boil, proceed with the following steps.
Remove the Italian sausage from its casing and crumble it into small pieces using your hands or a fork.
Heat a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and allow it to get hot.
When the oil is hot, add the crumbled Italian sausage in an even layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, frequently stirring with a wooden spoon until the sausage is well-browned.
Once the sausage is browned, reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent, stirring occasionally.
Add the 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 more minute until fragrant, constantly stirring.
Incorporate the 4 cups of chopped kale leaves into the skillet. Toss to coat the leaves with the sausage and onion mixture, allowing them to slightly wilt.
Pour in the 28oz can of crushed tomatoes and 4 cups of chicken broth into the skillet. Season with salt, ground black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to taste.
Allow the mixture to gently come to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it gently simmer while you prepare the pasta.
The pot of salted water should be boiling by now. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, around 10-12 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.
Once pasta is al dente, drain it and add it directly to the sausage and kale mixture in the skillet.
Pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream over the pasta and toss everything to fully combine.
Remove skillet from heat and add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir vigorously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy and thickened.
If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed with more salt, pepper or red pepper flakes to taste.
Garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves when serving. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful pasta dish!
