Spicy Kale and Sausage Pasta with Tangy Lemon Cream Sauce
A delectable blend of hearty kale and succulent sausage embraced within a tangy lemon cream sauce, with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, served on a bed of perfectly seasoned orecchiette pasta. Perfect for a quick yet gourmet weeknight dinner.
In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth and sea salt to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook until al dente.
2
Drain the pasta and set it aside, retaining one cup of the broth.
3
In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. This should take about 8 minutes.
4
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant - approximately 1 more minute.
5
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage and garlic to a bowl, leaving any fat in the pan.
6
Add the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes to the pan, stirring often until the sauce has thickened - about 5 minutes.
7
Stir in the black pepper, fresh lemon juice, and the chopped kale. Cook until the kale is wilted - around 2 minutes.
8
Return the sausage and garlic to the creamy sauce, add the cooked pasta, and stir to combine, adding the retained pasta broth as needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
9
Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.