PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND KALE

Pasta with Sausage and Kale image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound orecchiette
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1/2 red onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cups torn kale, stems removed
6 tablespoons jarred pesto
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
4 tablespoons salted butter
2 lemons, zested and juiced
1/2 cup shaved Parmesan
Fresh basil, for garnish

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.