Orecchiette with Sausage and Kale

This is one of my favorite meals at a restaurant I go to with a girlfriend and I figured it wouldn’t be that hard to replicate, and I’m so glad I tried! This dish took about 15 minutes to put together and was SO good! It is satisfying, yet I’m getting to sneak in some veggies which is a win! The pasta water makes its own sauce so it’s also really easy clean up. Here’s how I made it!

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb of orecchiette pasta
• 1/2 lb sausage
• 1/2 cup white wine or broth
• 1 cup chopped kale
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tsp italian seasoning
• 1 dash of chili flakes
• Salt
• Pepper
• Squeeze of lemon + zest

Directions

1. Start by sauteing chopped onion in 1 tbsp olive oil. Once translucent add in sausage and brown until cooked through.
2. Add in salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Toss in garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
3. Once garlic is done add in 1/2 cup white wine. Boil out until mostly reduced about 3 minutes. Toss in chopped kale and let wilt. 
4. Add in 3 cups of water or broth. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, add in 3/4 lb pasta and cover. Stirring every 2-3 minutes. Should take about 12-15 minutes for liquid to mostly reduce and pasta to be cooked. (if pasta is cooked and too much liquid is left, remove lid and let boil down a few more minutes)
5. Turn off the heat and add in parm cheese, lemon zest and parsley. Stir until nice and creamy. 
6. Garnish with more cheese and parsley!

Makes 3-4 servings