Creamy Kale and Pasta with Sweet Sausage

This pasta dish makes it easy to incorporate kale into your diet - just add sweet sausage and a creamy sauce for a flavorful new weeknight go-to!

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 458 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste
• 10 ounces gemelli pasta
• 3 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1.75 cups milk
• 0.5 onion, diced
• 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 0.5 bunch kale, thick stems removed, leaves finely chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook gemelli at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add tomato, onion, and garlic; saute for 3 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze browned bits. Add kale and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

While kale is cooking, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, and drain pasta. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, for 1 minute. Pour in milk slowly while whisking vigorously to smooth lumps. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook until mixture begins to bubble and thicken, 7 to 10 minutes. Add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency as needed. Remove sauce from heat.

Step 4

Pour sauce into sausage mixture, add drained pasta, and toss to evenly coat. Serve warm topped with Parmesan cheese.