As you all may have guessed, I love kale. It’s one of the best foods you can eat and it really goes well with soups and pastas.
I usually mix sausage and kale in a delicious soup, but I was feeling adventurous the other day and decided to try a pasta combination. This is a simple recipe for a weeknight meal and it can easily feed 4-6 hungry mouths. You could also use chicken and spinach instead of sausage and kale, if you prefer.
One reason I like cooking with kale is that it’s very forgiving. It takes quite a while for kale to really cook and wilt down…so it’s great for those who tend to be a little flaky in the kitchen (*raises hand*). I also love that kale maintains its crunch and shape after being cooked, unlike spinach which wilts and becomes a soggy mess if you’re not careful.
Veggie lovers can also omit the sausage from this dish without any problem. This recipe originally calls for 1 lb. of sausage, however I only added 1 sausage link (about the size of a bratwurst). That way there was just a taste of meat without all the fat and sodium.
This is a great meal for a Wednesday or Thursday night. As a matter of fact, I think I made this one rainy Thursday evening and enjoyed it with a marathon of Law and Order: SVU. Strange combination, I know…but I can’t help myself!
Fettuccine with Sausage & Kale
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. whole wheat fettuccine
- 1 lb. spicy Italian sausage, removed from casing
- ½ cup heavy cream (or your favorite white sauce)
- Cayenne pepper, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large bunch of kale, trimmed and coarsely chopped (about 4-5 leaves)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
- In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta until it’s al dente; drain.
- In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium-low until browned, about 7 minutes. Add ½ cup water and cream; simmer until reduced by half, about 7 minutes. Add Cayenne pepper, if desired, and salt and pepper.
- Add kale; toss until wilted. Remove from heat; toss with pasta.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.
Every Monday is a “Reci-bee” post, where I share my favorite recipes, recipe collections, and cooking and baking hints and tips.
The Hob-bee Hive 