Fall Kale And Sausage Pasta Bake Food

PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND KALE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving the water.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then pinch off 1- to 2-inch pieces of the sausage, adding it to the pan as you go. Cook for a couple minutes, flipping and stirring the sausage to brown both sides. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion has softened a little, a couple of minutes. Add the red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir and cook until the sausage is cooked through, another 1 to 2 minutes.
• Use a ladle to remove 2/3 cup pasta water from the pasta pot and add it to the skillet. Add the kale and cook until it has started to wilt, about 30 seconds, then add the pesto and cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring gently, until the sauce has thickened and the kale has wilted, about 3 minutes. If the skillet starts to look too dry at any stage, add a little more pasta water.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and add the butter, lemon zest, pasta and Parmesan. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then serve in bowls garnished with the fresh basil.

BAKED PASTA WITH KALE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook the pasta according to package directions, adding the kale during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and kale and return it to the pot.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until beginning to brown, 5 to 6 minutes; transfer to a bowl.
• Add the onion and remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet, season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stirring constantly, gradually add the milk. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes; stir in the crushed red pepper.
• Add the sauce to the pasta and kale and toss to coat. Add the sausage, tomatoes, ricotta and mozzarella and toss to combine. Transfer the pasta mixture to a 3-quart or 9- by 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and bake until heated through and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND KALE (WW)

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions using the 1/8 teaspoon salt in the water.
• While pasta is cooking remove sausge from casings (or even easier -- use the packaged Italan sausage already removed from casings) and cook in skillet over medium high heat (3-5 minutes). Stir in the kale and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
• Stir in broth and season with salt and pepper. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low, cook or another 5-10 minutes or until cooker through.
• Stir in pasta and heat through.
• Sprinkle each portion with 2 T cheese OR add grated cheese to mixture and serve family style.