This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This Italian sausage kale pasta takes spicy Italian sausage, hearty kale, and rigatoni, and tosses it in an earthy, creamy tomato sauce.
Do you need a quick, hearty, and satisfying weeknight dinner?
This Italian sausage kale pasta uses spicy Italian sausage, hearty kale, and rigatoni pasta, and tosses them with fresh tomatoes, earthy garlic and shallot, Italian seasoning, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
You get a perfect blend of savory, creamy, salty, and spicy in every bite!
Pasta is the ultimate crowd pleaser, even for the pickiest eaters, so it’s a great go-to dish any night of the week.
Trust me, when you’re hungry and in a hurry, you’re going to love reaching for this Italian sausage kale pasta!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Italian sausage kale pasta
- Spicy Italian sausage – Feel free to use sweet Italian if you’re not a fan of spicy!
- Cherry tomatoes – These add bursts of sweetness in our sauce.
- Shallot and garlic – Both shallot and garlic will add earthiness to the sauce.
- Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes – This combination of Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes will make sure our sauce is seasoned to perfection with a slightly spicy kick!
- Parmesan cheese – The Parmesan cheese will add a salty bite.
- Rigatoni pasta – Rigatoni is my favorite pasta for this dish, but feel free to use your favorite!
- Kale – Kale is hearty in texture and has a slightly bitter bite.
- Heavy cream – The heavy cream will add a smooth and creamy texture to our sauce.
How to make easy Italian sausage kale pasta
The thing I love most about this pasta dish is that it’s easy and packed full of fresh summer ingredients. Right down to the fresh cherry tomatoes to the chopped kale.
We all know I’m a huge fan of a 30-minute meal around here!
Especially when it comes packed with pasta.
Step one:
Brown the sausage and add the cherry tomatoes
Step Two:
Cook the tomatoes with chicken stock until they pop and become slightly saucy
Step Three:
Pour in the heavy cream and add the chopped kale
Step Four:
Let it simmer just to warm the sauce and help soften the kale and add the pasta
Step Five:
Stir in the pasta and top with more cheese and some crushed red pepper!
Lighten things up
If you’re looking to lighten things up, feel free to substitute the spicy Italian sausage with either ground turkey or ground chicken breast.
You can find seasoned ground turkey and ground chicken at the meat counter of most major grocery stores, and some varieties even have Italian seasonings already mixed in!
If using plain ground chicken or turkey, to help it taste similar to standard pork Italian sausage, simply add ½ tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, and fennel seed.
Different kinds of pasta
For this Italian sausage kale pasta, you can switch up the pasta to fit your specific dietary needs!
Most major grocery stores have a plethora of different pasta offerings.
If you’re looking to add more fiber, try using whole-wheat pasta.
If you’re looking to boost your protein intake, try using protein-enriched pasta.
If you’re gluten-free, feel free to use your favorite gluten-free pasta!
Make your own Italian seasoning
If you don’t have any pre-made Italian seasoning on hand, no worries!
Italian seasoning is often an easy blend of dried basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley, and thyme.
Not a fan of kale
Not a fan of kale? That’s ok!
You can replace the kale with spinach. It won’t be as hearty, but it will still be nutritious!
Be sure to add it right at the end, because spinach doesn’t need but a minute to cook down.
Storage and leftovers
Any leftover Italian sausage kale pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, simply place in a microwave-safe dish covered loosely with a damp paper towel and heat for 2-3 minutes or until heated thoroughly.
More pasta dishes
- Want a light summertime pasta dish? Try my Lemon Zucchini Pasta
- Craving caprese? Try my Pesto Chicken Caprese Pasta
- Love spicy sausage? Try my Spicy Sausage Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
- Need a pasta salad for lunch? Try my Tuna Pasta Salad
Italian Sausage and Kale Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium sized pasta
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, removed from the casing
- 1 shallot, peeled and minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups finely chopped kale
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and set it over high heat.
- Once the water is boiling add a heavy pinch of kosher salt and pour in the pasta.
- Cook the pasta according to box directions, drain, and set aside until you add to the sauce.
- While the pasta cooks, in a large 12-inch high-sided skillet, add Italian sausage and shallots.
- Cook over medium-high heat until the sausage is fully browned and the shallots are softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant and golden brown.
- Deglaze the pan with chicken stock and add in the cherry tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Stir to combine.
- Let the sauce simmer until the tomatoes have popped and the liquid has cooked down by half.
- Add in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
- Add in the kale, stir, and simmer for 5 minutes or until the kale has started to soften.
- Remove from the pan and stir in the pasta and Parmesan cheese and stir to combine.
- Serve with extra Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Italian Sausage and Kale Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage, spicy or sweet
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, more will be needed later
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup minced fresh basil
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and set over high heat. Once the water is boiling add in a heavy pinch of kosher salt and pour in pasta.
- Cook the pasta according to box directions, drain, add back to the pot, drizzle with a little olive oil and stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Set aside until you are ready to combine with the meat mixture.
- While the pasta is cooking start making your sausage mixture.
- In a large skillet add Italian sausage and cook until no longer pink.
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the sausage pan and add in onions and tomatoes. Sauté for a few minutes until the onion and tomato starts to soften.
- Add in kale and sauté until the kale is soft. Add garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant.
- Pour in pasta and stir to combine. If the mixture is dry drizzle on a little more olive oil and stir in basil. Sprinkle the top with remaining Parmesan cheese and serve hot.
This looks absolutely amazing! I love the addition of the kale!
That looks delicious! And the fact that it’s easy to make makes it even better!
Beautiful photos! I love how colorful this dish is and… it is making me hungry!
Oh Brandy, this is freaking amazing. I want to swim in it. It’s perfection.
This pasta looks fantastic – love the flavor combos!
Oh yeah I can’t watch any sad movies and I’m 3 months post partum! Lol I tear up at commercials! This pasta looks divine–all for simple!
I think I’ll be dragging my bestie to see that movie this weekend. And I’ll be sure to have a big bowl of this in the fridge for post cry-fest consumption!
Great quick dinner!