Description
A savory and nutritious pasta dish combining browned Italian sausage, fresh kale, and a light garlic-parmesan sauce. It is a balanced one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz Penne or Fusilli pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (bulk or casings removed)
- 4 cups fresh kale, stems removed and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the chopped kale to the pan and sauté for 3-5 minutes until the leaves have wilted and turned bright green.
- Stir in the lemon juice and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.
- Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet with the sausage and kale.
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and evenly distributed.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American