Sausage and Greens Pasta
I may be a lunch salad gal at heart, but some weeks when it’s freakin’ freezing I’m constantly craving something warm and comforting, and a crisp cold salad just isn’t gonna cut it. Pasta is one of my go-to comfort foods, but also the thought of eating a giant bowl of pasta at noon puts me on track for a nap at 1 pm. Determined that there must be a middle ground, I found that a warm vegetable-based dish with pasta as an addition (vs. how it’s usually the other way around) became the perfect answer. This one combines some of my favorite Italian flavors: sweet sausage, bitter greens, and a good amount of Parmesan, into a lunch that’s going to be on solid rotation all winter.
Sausage and Greens Pasta (makes 5 servings)
1 T olive oil
2 white onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
5 Italian sausages (or any sausage of your choosing. If using fresh sausage, remove the casing. If using pre-cooked sausage, slice thinly)
1 large bunch of bitter greens, such as kale or collards, thinly sliced (or I like to get one of those large pre-sliced bags)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 box of pasta (I like to use Banza pasta, but any pasta will do. I prefer short pasta vs. something long like spaghetti as it’s easier to portion for each day)
1 c grated parmesan
In a large dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the sausage and cook until cooked through and browned.
Add the greens and saute with the onions and sausage until completely wilted. You may need to add the greens in batches to fit them in the pan - that’s ok! - just add a few handfuls at a time. Once one batch is wilted, add more until they’re wilted. Continue until all of the greens have been added.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box. Drain and add to the sausage and greens. Toss until well combined.
When serving, I like to reheat in a pan (quickly stir fried just to heat through but not overcook the pasta) or in the microwave for 2 minutes. Then I top with parmesan cheese. If you’re making this to-order at home, I’d prepare the greens and sausage in advance, put the amount you want for a single serving in a small pan just to heat through, then cook the pasta fresh each day and toss together in the pan before serving with cheese.