Description
A comforting and flavorful pasta dish perfect for a cozy date night in. This Date Night Rigatoni with Sausage and Kale combines hearty rigatoni pasta with savory Italian sausage, nutritious kale, and a creamy Parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
Rigatoni Pasta:
12 ounces rigatoni pasta,
Italian Sausage:
1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed,
Olive Oil:
1 tablespoon olive oil,
Onion:
1 medium onion, diced,
Garlic:
3 garlic cloves, minced,
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes:
1/2 teaspoon (optional),
Kale:
1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped,
Dry White Wine:
1/2 cup,
Heavy Cream:
1 cup,
Grated Parmesan Cheese:
1/2 cup,
Salt and Black Pepper:
to taste,
Extra Parmesan and Fresh Parsley:
for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Rigatoni: Boil salted water and cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve pasta water.
- Cook Sausage: Brown sausage in olive oil. Add onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Add Kale: Stir in kale until wilted. Pour in white wine and simmer.
- Make Sauce: Reduce heat, add cream and Parmesan. Cook until thickened.
- Combine: Toss cooked rigatoni in sauce, adding pasta water if needed. Season and serve with Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
- Substitute spinach for kale if desired.
- Enhance flavor with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
