Creamy Sausage and Kale Orecchiette with Toasted Breadcrumbs

A quick and comforting pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, hearty kale, and orecchiette pasta in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce. Toasted breadcrumbs add a satisfying crunch.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Total Time

40 minutes

Calories

975 kcal

Difficulty

Easy

Equipment

3 items

Cost

£3.05/serving

Season:

☀️ Summer•❄️ Winter

Meal Type:

Breakfast•Dinner•Bread

Cuisine:

Main Ingredient:

Cooking Style:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

1poundOrecchiette pasta

£1.20

1poundItalian sausage(Removed from casings)

£3.50

8ouncesKale(Chopped)

£1.00

3clovesGarlic(Minced)

£0.30

1cupHeavy cream

£1.80

1cupParmesan cheese(Grated, plus more for serving)

£2.50

0.5cupChicken broth

£0.40

2tablespoonsOlive oil

£0.60

0.5cupBreadcrumbs(Panko breadcrumbs recommended)

£0.50

2tablespoonsButter

£0.30

To tasteSalt

To tasteBlack pepper

0.3teaspoonRed pepper flakes(Optional, for heat)

£0.10

Total Cost

£12.20

£3.05 per serving

Instructions

1.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2.
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
3.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the breadcrumbs: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and toast until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
4.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
5.
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
6.
Add chopped kale to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 3-5 minutes.
7.
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens.
8.
Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
9.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
10.
Serve immediately, topped with toasted breadcrumbs and extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Buy ingredients on Loop

My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (350g)

975 kcal / 4080 kJ

Carbs

58g

22% of RDA

Fat

65g

93% of RDA

Protein

45g

90% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

5 g

17% of RDA

Sugar

7 g

8% of RDA

Sodium

1100 mg

48% of RDA

Saturated Fat

35 g

175% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage.

You can substitute spinach for kale if desired.

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Cooking Equipment

Large pot

Large skillet

Baking sheet

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

Share this recipe

Loading recipe...

Creamy Sausage and Kale Orecchiette with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Ingredients

Instructions