Tuscan Sausage, Kale & Tomato Penne

A quick Tuscan-style pasta pairs savory chicken sausage with tender late-season kale and tomatoes.

  • Total time: 40 min
  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Estimated total cost: $8
  • Calories per serving: 620 cal
  • Stovetop

Ingredients

  • Mild Italian chicken sausage
    8 oz $5.99
  • Italian penne rigate
    6 oz $1.99
  • Organic lacinato kale
    1 bunch $3.00
  • Roma tomatoes
    1/2 lb $1.29
  • Yellow onion
    1/4 lb $0.89
  • Garlic
    2 cloves $2.49
  • Lemon
    1/2 lemon $1.29
  • Olive oil
    1 tablespoon
  • Table salt
    2 tablespoons plus 1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Strip the leaves from 1 bunch of lacinato kale and slice them thinly; finely chop any tender stems.

  2. Dice 1/2 lb Roma tomatoes and 1/4 lb yellow onion, then mince 2 garlic cloves. Zest and juice 1/2 lemon. Remove the casings, if present, from 8 oz chicken sausage.

  3. Bring 2 quarts water to a boil and stir in 2 tablespoons table salt. Add 6 oz penne and cook until al dente, about 10–12 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.

  4. While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble in the prepared sausage and cook, stirring, for 6–8 minutes, until browned and 165Β°F. Transfer it to a plate.

  5. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic for 30 seconds, then add the diced tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes, until they begin to soften.

  6. Add the prepared kale and 1/4 teaspoon table salt. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring, until the kale is tender. Return the sausage to the skillet.

  7. Add the drained pasta, reserved pasta water, lemon zest and juice. Toss over medium heat for 1–2 minutes, until the pasta is lightly coated. Divide between two bowls and serve.

Drink pairing: A glass of Chianti complements the sausage and tomatoes; sparkling water with lemon works just as well.