Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 12 ounces orecchiette pasta
  • 16 ounces hot Italian sausage (or sweet Italian sausage)
  • 4 stalks kale (stems removed and leaves chopped)
  • ⅔ cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated (approx. 2 ounces))
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • red pepper flakes (optional)

Instruction

  • Cook the pasta in well-salted water according to package directions, until al dente.  Reserve 1-1½ cups of the pasta water before draining.
  • Meanwhile, cook and crumble the sausage.  Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 1-2 teaspoons of fat in the pan.  Add the chopped kale to the pan along with ¼ cup of pasta water. Saute until wilted, approx. 4-5 minutes.  
  • Add the sausage back to the pan along with the pasta. Add the parmesan cheese and the reserved pasta water, starting with ½ cup, stirring to create the sauce.  Add additional pasta water as necessary.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper (if needed). Add crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat if desired.
  • Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.