This quick + easy creamy rigatoni with sausage and kale is wildly delicious. Rigatoni pasta paired with ground sausage and wonderfully sautéed kale meets spices, ample garlic flavor, and mozzarella cheese!

It’s no joke just how much I love myself a good easy peasy pasta recipe. And that especially goes for these crazy times we are living in with quarantine, ha! Since we’re having to stay home that means the stove and oven is on wayyyyy more than ever before. Ugh. Some days I want to cook everything and more and then other days I refuse to be in the kitchen. Thus, in comes easy weeknight recipes like this one!

First, this rigatoni with sausage and kale is an absolute gem, y’all. Yes, indeed…I’m talking about it being nice and creamy, packed with huge flavor, and so easy to make. I love the garlicky flavor throughout this pasta dish too! Additionally, kale greens adds some nice texture and feel-good nutritional vibes.

Rigatoni With Sausage and Kale Ingredients

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

  • rigatoni pasta: feel free to use alternate kind of short-cut pasta, too!
  • ground sausage: you can surely substitute for ground turkey/beef here as well.
  • butter: used to sauté the ground sausage/kale.
  • oil: just a ‘lil, used with butter to sauté sausage/kale.
  • garlic cloves: garlic adds so much taste to this pasta recipe, yum!
  • kale: you can buy whole leaves (de-stemmed) or buy them pre-chopped in bag-form.
  • chicken broth: helps to add some extra flavor and sauciness.
  • heavy whipping cream: in conjunction with the broth, lends an extra creaminess factor.
  • mozzarella cheese: because what is pasta without dat cheese, ha!
  • spices: salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

How To Make This Pasta Dish

So, making this creamy rigatoni with sausage and kale, couldn’t be easier!

  1. First, make pasta according to package directions, al dente.
  2. While pasta is cooking, on a separate burner, heat butter/oil and cook sausage until browned.
  3. Add in garlic and kale, and continue cooking.
  4. Season mixture with spices and continue for a few minutes.
  5. Drain pasta and add into sausage mixture, stirring well.
  6. Add in broth, cream, and cheese. Stir well to combine.

Optional Alternative For This Recipe

To elevate this rigatoni with sausage and kale dish, I’ve included an extra step for ultimate deliciousness. This easy step transforms regular stovetop pasta into a baked pasta situation with crispy cheese and edges.

  1. Before starting this recipe, begin by pre-heating the oven to 375°F. Reserve about a handful of cheese. When pasta is done, empty pasta into a large baking dish (such as a 9×13-inch vessel). Sprinkle top of pasta with reserved handful of cheese (or more, if desired). Then bake dish for 6-7 minutes.

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UNTIL NEXT TIME…LOVE AND BUTTER,

Q.

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rigatoni with sausage and kale in white baking dish

Creamy Rigatoni With Sausage and Kale

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Quin Liburd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This easy rigatoni with sausage and kale is wildly delicious. Rigatoni pasta paired with ground sausage and wonderfully sautéed kale meets spices, ample garlic flavor, and mozzarella cheese!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground sausage
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 2 generous handfuls of roughly chopped kale
  • kosher salt
  • fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 (8-ounce) bag shredded mozzarella cheese, about 2 cups

Instructions

  1. In a large stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions, al dente. 
  2. On a separate burner, in a large pot/dutch oven, heat butter/olive oil over medium-high heat.
  3. Once hot, add in sausage and cook until browned, breaking up meat with wooden spatula; about 5 minutes. Add in garlic and kale. Continue cooking until kale wilts down a bit, about 2-3 min.
  4. Season mixture with salt/black pepper, to taste, and crush red pepper flakes.
  5. Drain pasta and add into sausage mixture pot. Pour in broth and cream, and stir to combine.
  6. Sprinkle in cheese and continue stirring until cheese has melted. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

  1. For baked version: preheat oven to 375°F. Reserve a handful of cheese, about 1/2 cup. Empty pasta into a large baking dish and sprinkle top of pasta with reserved cheese. Bake in the oven for 6-7 minutes until lightly golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.