One Pan Sausage & Kale Pasta

Spicy Italian sausage, kale, and pasta in a rich sauce makes the most comforting weeknight meal — all cooked in one pan!

A bowl of sausage pasta with kale, yellow bell peppers, and spices.

Everything is cooked in one pot or large sauté pan for minimal clean-up.

A bowl of sausage pasta with kale, yellow bell peppers, and spices.

How long does One Pan Sausage & Kale Pasta take to make?

At about 30 minutes, this is an ideal recipe for a weeknight where you’re on the go.

A bowl of sausage pasta with kale, yellow bell peppers, and spices.

Let’s talk about the ingredients for One Pan Sausage & Kale Pasta

Italian sausage – I like the hot variety, but you may prefer the milder, sweeter version. I like to purchase the sausage already taken out of its casings. If you can’t find it that way, simply remove the sausage from the casings before cooking.

Kale
Image by Ulrike Leone from Kale – An easy way to get this nutritional vegetable into your dinner rotation! By removing the stems and chopping into bite-size pieces, the kale will cook quickly and become tender.

Pasta – I used fusilli pasta, but you can use any bite-sized shape. The cooking time depends upon your pasta; the smaller the size, the faster it will cook.

Can I Make Substitutions?

Kale – if you can’t find kale or it’s outrageously expensive (like mine was!) you can substitute baby spinach, or any other healthy green that you prefer!

Pasta – Use whatever pasta you like — it’s *your* dinner!

Sausage – You can swap in mild Italian sausage if you prefer a less spicy dish. You could also use any other ground meat, I would increase the amount of seasoning if you do that.

Can One Pan Sausage & Kale Pasta be gluten-free?

Yes, if you substitute the pasta for a gluten-free version, and use a sausage that does not contain gluten.

A bowl of sausage pasta with kale, yellow bell peppers, and spices.

The One Pan Sausage & Kale Pasta Method

This recipe is so easy! First, you brown the sausage and onion together into crumbles. 

Then, add everything else, except the parmesan cheese! Cover and cook until the pasta is done – anywhere from 10 -20 minutes, depending on your pasta size and shape. Mine took 20 minutes.

Last, you stir in the grated parmesan cheese and add some fresh basil if you have it. Dinner is served!

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One Pan Sausage & Kale Pasta

Spicy Italian sausage, kale, and pasta in a rich sauce makes the most comforting weeknight meal — all cooked in one pan!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Italian Sausage, Kale, One Pan, One Pot, Pasta, Sausage
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot or frying pan with lid

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Package hot italian sausage not in the casings
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cups kale chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
  • 8 oz small pasta such as fusilli or shells
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Over medium heat, add olive oil and brown the Italian sausage with the diced onion, until sausage is browned. If using sausage in the casing, remove it from the casing first.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients (except the parmesan) and basil garnish, and stir to combine.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-20 minutes (or until pasta is done).
  • Stir in parmesan cheese.
  • Serve in bowls topped with fresh basil and more parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Notes

Did you make One Pan Sausage & Kale Pasta? Post a photo on Instagram, and tag me @dinneratlulus and use the hashtag #dinneratlulus.
A bowl of sausage pasta with kale, yellow bell peppers, and spices.