Sausage Kale Pasta

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7 ingredients and 20 minutes are all it takes to make this hearty, satisfying, and flavorful sausage kale pasta. It’s equally perfect for company or an easy and balanced weeknight meal.

overhead view of a pan of kale sausage pasta

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Deciding what to make for dinner every night—especially during busy weekdays—can be a real challenge. More often than not, pasta ends up being the solution. It’s a dinner favorite in our house because it’s quick, versatile, and satisfying.

Whether I’m whipping up this roasted tomato pasta, a fresh cherry tomato pasta, or indulging in Spanish Manchego mac and cheese, I find myself reaching for pasta at least two nights a week. It’s the kind of comfort food that never disappoints, and the best part? Pasta dishes are almost always easy to make!

And I’ve got another weeknight dinner winner for you, and it checks all the boxes—quick, easy, hearty, and full of flavor! This kale sausage pasta is one of those dishes that I turn to when I want something cozy and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

closeup of a plate of kale sausage pasta

This kale sausage pasta just uses seven ingredients and will take 20 minutes of your time. The Italian sausage gives it a rich, savory depth, while the kale adds freshness and texture. And let’s not forget about the Parmesan cheese, which melts into a creamy, salty sauce that clings perfectly to every piece of pasta.

It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent, but thanks to the kale, you can also feel good about eating it.

Ingredient Notes

Italian Sausage

Bulk sausage works great here, or you can use sausage links and remove the casings. The Italian sausage gives the dish a rich, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the bitterness of the kale. You can use turkey, chicken, or pork sausage – whatever you prefer. I tend to use spicy Italian sausage but you can use mild and spice it up with some extra crushed red pepper if you wish.

Kale

This is the star green in this dish! It wilts down nicely, softening its texture while retaining its earthy taste. You can use fresh or frozen kale, whatever you have available. It’s also a nutritional powerhouse. Spinach or chard will also work!

Shallot and Garlic

Shallots add a milder onion flavor, while garlic provides that essential aromatic base for the kale sausage pasta. If you don’t have shallots, you can also use finely chopped onion.

Chicken Broth

I like to make the sauce with some chicken broth as it adds a really nice depth of flavor to the kale sausage pasta. You can use any stock or broth you have available, or even water.

Orecchiette

I usually go with orecchiette for this kale sausage pasta recipe because its shape holds onto the sauce and bits of sausage really well, but shell, rigatoni, elbow, or any other short pasta shape works too! And feel free to use a long pasta like linguine if you prefer.

Parmesan Cheese

A generous sprinkle of Parmesan adds that creamy, salty richness that ties everything together.

Don’t forget to watch the video!

Most of my recipes include a short step-by-step video tutorial. Just scroll down to the recipe card, or use the “Jump to Video” button at the top of the post!

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks, until you start to see some brown bits at the bottom of the pan and the sausage is nicely browned and mostly cooked through.
sausage added to a pan
  1. Toss in the finely chopped shallot and minced garlic, stirring frequently for about 3-4 minutes, or until the shallot softens.
minced shallot and garlic added to the sausage
  1. Next, add your chopped kale. Stir it into the sausage mixture and cook for just a minute or two until it wilts down slightly.
chopped kale added to the sausage
  1. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
chicken broth added to the pan
  1. While the sausage and kale are simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orecchiette according to package instructions. Once the pasta is done, drain it, but save a bit of that pasta water in case you need to loosen up the pasta later.
pasta boiling in a pot
  1. Add the drained pasta to the pan with the sausage and kale. Toss everything together and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
pasta added to the pan with the sauce
parmesan cheese added to the pan with the pasta
  1. Taste and adjust the seasoning, and add salt if necessary. Serve with extra Parmesan on top, and your sausage kale pasta is done!
a pan of sausage kale pasta with a wooden serving spoon in it.

Serving Suggestions

I like to serve this kale sausage pasta right away, topped with even more Parmesan. You could also sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for extra heat, or a squeeze of lemon juice for a pop of freshness.

This kale sausage pasta is hearty enough to stand on its own, but if you’re looking to round out the meal, a fresh green salad like this apple pecan salad or kale pomegranate salad will be delicious.

You could also serve it with a side of this cheesy garlic bread or a crusty loaf of artisan bread for dipping into the sauce. If you’re looking for a veggie-based side, roasted or grilled vegetables like this grilled zucchini or maple roasted sweet potatoes would complement the dish without overpowering it.

A plate of kale sausage pasta with a pan of pasta in the background.

Storage Instructions

This pasta reheats very well. If you have any leftovers, store the remaining kale sausage pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, you can add a splash of chicken broth or pasta water if you saved some, to loosen it up while warming it on the stove.

For freezing, you can store the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding extra liquid as needed to moisten and loosen it back up.

Can I use spinach instead of kale in this recipe?

Yes! Spinach will wilt faster than kale, so just add it in at the end of cooking to avoid overcooking it.

Can I make this kale sausage pasta vegetarian?

Absolutely! You can swap the sausage for a plant-based version, or even sauté some mushrooms for a meaty texture. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and you will also want to skip the Parmesan since it contains animal rennet, or use a vegetarian version.

Tell me what you think!

If you try this recipe, l’d be so grateful if you’d leave a comment and a rating in the recipe card. I love to hear your feedback, and your tips can help other readers too!

A pan of sausage kale pasta with a serving spoon in it.

Sausage Kale Pasta

7 ingredients and 20 minutes are all it takes to make this hearty, satisfying, and flavorful sausage kale pasta. It's equally perfect for company or an easy and balanced weeknight meal.
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Course: dinner, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 737kcal
Author: Ann Otis

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 oz Italian sausage bulk, or in links with casings removed
  • 1 shallot finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 cups chopped kale packed
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ¾ lb orecchiette or shells, or other short pasta shape
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, and brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula, until browned and just about cooked through, about 10 minutes
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
  • Add the shallot and garlic to the sausage and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until shallot is softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the chopped kale and stir to combine. Cook about 1 minute until the kale is wilted.
  • Add the chicken broth, bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
  • Drain and add the pasta to the pan with the sausage. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir to combine until well coated.
  • Serve right away with more Parmesan.

Video

Notes

Storage Instructions
This pasta reheats very well. If you have any leftovers, store the remaining kale sausage pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, you can add a splash of chicken broth or pasta water if you saved some, to loosen it up while warming it on the stove.
For freezing, you can store the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding extra liquid as needed to moisten and loosen it back up.

Nutrition

Calories: 737kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 1070mg | Potassium: 499mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1159IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 176mg | Iron: 2mg
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