Go Back
–+ servings
Parmesan Orecchiette with Sausage and Kale

Parmesan Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Kale

Print Recipe
Mild Italian sausage, tender kale and orecchiette pasta are tossed in a garlicky parmesan cream sauce. A simple yet incredibly delicious pasta dish for any night of the week. This recipe yields 6 generous servings.
Course Mains & Entrees
Cuisine Italian
Keyword dinner, easy recipe, pasta, quick recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 840
Author Laurie McNamara

Ingredients

  • sea salt for pasta water
  • 1 pound orecchiette pasta
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 pound mild italian sausage
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated fresh
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
  • 1 bunch tuscan kale (lacinato) stems removed, leaves chopped
  • 2/3 cup reserved pasta water for thinning sauce as needed
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a large skillet or deep sided pan, add a teaspoon or two of olive oil and add in the mild italian sausage. Once the ground sausage is cooked, add in the shallot and garlic. Stirring often, cook until the shallot is tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer the sausage mixture to a clean bowl.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add a small palmful of sea salt (about 1½ to 2 tablespoons)and stir. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the instructions on the package.
  • Meanwhile, reduce the heat under the pan to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Next add in the parmesan, nutmeg and red pepper flakes. Stir over medium-low heat until the cheese melts, sauce is smooth and thickened slightly.
  • Add in the chopped kale, stir and cook until tender. About 3 to 5 minutes or until desired doneness. Add the sausage mixture back in along with the cooked orecchiette. Add a little of the reserved pasta water as needed so the sauce is to a desired consistency. Taste and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
  • Serve with grated parmesan cheese over top.

Notes

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 840kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 890mg | Potassium: 614mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5515IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 335mg | Iron: 3mg