Sale-priced chicken sausage and rigatoni meet tender rainbow chard, a less-common Washington autumn green, in a hearty weeknight pasta.
- Total time: 40 min
- Servings: 2 servings
- Estimated total cost: $7
- Calories per serving: 625 cal
- Stovetop
Drink pairing: A medium-bodied Sangiovese complements the sausage, tomatoes, and earthy chard.
Details
Ingredients
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Simple Truth® Mild Italian Chicken Sausage8 oz $5.99
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Private Selection® Italian Rigatoni6 oz dry $1.67
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Organic Rainbow Chard8 oz $3.99
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Jumbo Yellow Onion4 oz $0.99
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Fresh Roma Tomatoes8 oz $1.99
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Olive oil1 tablespoon
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Dried oregano½ teaspoon
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Black pepper¼ teaspoon
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Diamond Crystal Salt flakes4½ tablespoons plus ½ teaspoon, divided
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Frescobaldi Remole Tuscany Sangiovese Based Italy Red Wine1 bottle $12.99
Instructions
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Wash 8 oz rainbow chard. Separate the stems from the leaves, thinly slice the stems, and cut the leaves into 1-inch ribbons. Finely dice 4 oz yellow onion and chop 8 oz Roma tomatoes.
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Remove any casings from 8 oz chicken sausage and break the meat into small pieces. Do not add salt to the sausage; it is already seasoned.
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Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a large pot. Add 4½ tablespoons Diamond Crystal Salt flakes and 6 oz dry rigatoni. Cook according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup pasta water. Prepare the sauce while the pasta cooks.
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Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the prepared sausage and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into bite-size crumbles, until browned and its thickest pieces reach 165°F. Transfer to a plate.
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Reduce the heat to medium. Add the prepared onion and chard stems to the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring, until softened.
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Add the following to the skillet:
- The prepared tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal Salt flakes
Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften into a chunky sauce. The vegetable seasoning is intentionally modest because the sausage and pasta water also contribute salt.
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Add the prepared chard leaves and 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water. Cover and cook for 3 minutes, then uncover and stir until the leaves are tender.
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Return the browned sausage to the skillet and add the drained rigatoni. Toss over medium heat for 1–2 minutes, adding another 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water to coat the pasta with the sauce.
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Divide between two shallow bowls, distributing the colorful chard stems and sausage evenly, and serve hot.
Want more detail? See the temperature guide.
Wine picks:
- Frescobaldi Remole Tuscany Sangiovese Based Italy Red Wine $12.99 1 bottle
- Villa Antinori Tuscany Sangiovese Italy Red Wine $17.99 1 bottle
Why it works: A medium-bodied Sangiovese is a natural match for the tomato sauce and savory sausage, with enough freshness to balance the pasta and earthy chard. The Tuscan Remole is an easygoing, good-value pick; Villa Antinori offers a more polished option with extra depth.