My family loves pasta for supper, and I love making pasta like this for my kiddos because they eat it up…kale and all.
We used a nice chicken sausage on this night but you could use turkey or pork sausage too. Ask your butcher if you have any questions about locating good quality chicken or turkey sausages. They’re a great way to lighten up a hearty dish like this. We also only use whole wheat pasta in our house…extra fiber and protein to boot! If you’re not into kale, feel free to substitute fresh spinach instead. Just mix and match it for your family!
On a cozy night, enjoy this quick and easy pasta with your family too!
Happy dinner!
This recipe serves four adults.
Shopping List
1 pound Italian sausage (turkey, chicken or pork)
1 pound of pasta (we used penne)
1 shallot, chopped
2 cups chopped mushrooms (any variety you like)
4 cups Kale, torn into bite sized pieces (just a few big handfuls)
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
a splash of half and half, whipping cream or milk
Salt and Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle in just a tablespoon or so of EVOO. Add in your sausage (if it’s in the casing, remove from casing first) and begin to brown.
On a second burner, bring a large pot of water to boil for your pasta. Drop your pasta and cook to al dente.
Once your sausage is browned and crumbly, add in your shopped shallot and saute just a minute or so. Add in your chopped mushrooms and kale. Stir in your stock and de-glaze the pan (scrape up the little bits off of the bottom of your pan). Reduce heat to medium and allow mixture to bubble up a few minutes.
Drain your pasta and add the hot pasta to your sausage mixture. Stir in your Parmesan and a splash of half and half. Add just a pinch of salt and pepper and serve (maybe with a bit more Parm to garnish).
If you’re serving two adults and two kids, you might want to use less pasta. The pound of pasta is a great way to stretch a meal when serving adults. Shallots are found next to the onions and garlic. Can’t find a shallot? Use half an onion and one clove of garlic instead.
This entire meal can be on your table in about 18 minutes. Dinner done.
Enjoy!
Miranda Clawson says
What woudl you do for mushroom replacement? No one in my house likes them but me 🙁 of course! SO glad you and your family are back home and the addition is just a wonderful story so glad i was able to follow your journey!
Mix and Match Mama says
I would just leave the mushrooms out if your family doesn't love them. This recipe will work without them! Thank you so much for the sweet comment :). Enjoy!!
Anonymous says
Any ideas what to mix and match in place of mushrooms? Not one person in my family will eat them, but we do love the flavor of them.
Thank you,
Jan
Katie Compton says
Can't wait to try this! Love an easy pasta recipe. So glad you are back home safe and sound with sweet Ashby… it's been wonderful to follow your journey and get to "meet" your newest baby! God bless!
Anonymous says
Any suggestions for a protein other than sausage? We're not huge fans of sausage in my house.
Mix and Match Mama says
You can sub ground beef or turkey and then also add in one tablespoon of Italian seasoning right after your protein has browned. Enjoy!
Haley Southey says
This. Looks. INCREDIBLE. YUMMM! Adding it to my dinner list!
Sara says
This looks so good- do you use chicken sausage links or turkey sausage roll (breakfast sausage)?
Anonymous says
Have you ever tried sautéing the pasta a little longer after you throw it in with everything else? It's soooo good. Just do it until a few start to lightly brown.
Mix and Match Mama says
You can use either sausage! I typically use sausage links (with the casings removed) but you can absolutely use breakfast sausage too!
Sara says
Thanks Shay! I am having a difficult time trying to find chicken sausage links (where I can remove the casings) at my local grocery stores.
Where do you find them?
Mix and Match Mama says
I find chicken sausage either behind the butcher's counter or in the packaged meat case at both my grocery store and at stores like Target and Walmart. If they're packaged, it's usually 4 or 5 sausage links.