Creamy One-Pot Pasta with Sausage and Kale

This creamy one-pot pasta with sausage and kale is an easy 30-minute dinner made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients. It’s rich, comforting, and ideal for busy weeknights when you need a quick, budget-friendly meal. 

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As a busy mom, I plan our meals each week and try to focus on seasonal recipes with just a few ingredients. It’s a bit like having a capsule wardrobe, but for my grocery shopping.

This creamy sausage kale pasta is a good example of that approach. I use pantry staples like onions, garlic, carrots, pasta, and homemade bone broth, along with homemade sausage and kale from the Fall garden. A splash of heavy cream and a bit of parmesan cheese make it extra creamy.

Just thinking about this meal makes me hungry. It’s one of my favorite quick dinners every fall — nutritious, comforting, and not too heavy. With a few simple changes, you can also make it dairy-free or gluten-free.

Why you’ll love this easy one-pot pasta recipe

• Ready in 30 minutes
• One pot = fewer dishes
• Made with simple pantry ingredients
• Family-friendly comfort food
• Easy to customize with what you have

Don’t forget to pin this recipe!

Ingredients for creamy one-pot pasta with sausage and kale

• Butter or olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Italian sausage
• Short-cut pasta
• Chicken broth
• Kale 
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Notes

• You can use ground Italian sausage or Italian sausage links — just remove the casing.
• Any short-cut, forkable pasta will work here. I prefer gemelli, but fusilli, farfalle (bowtie), penne, orecchiette, ziti, or shells work!
• You can use store-bought or homemade broth, but I recommend homemade bone broth for better taste and more protein, vitamins, and minerals. 
• Use fresh or frozen kale. I recommend dense varieties like lacinato (also called Dinosaur, Tuscan, or Black kale), since they hold up better.

Tools you may need

You don’t need anything fancy for this recipe — just a few basic kitchen tools:

• Large lidded pot or Dutch oven — I’m using a 5.5-quart Dutch oven here
• Knife — I can’t live without this 6-inch Victorinox knife. It stays sharp for a long time but is also easy to sharpen.
• Chopping board
• Garlic press — this one from Amazon is my favorite. It has a built-in cleaner to push out garlic peels!
• Measuring cups
• Grater or microplane

How to make creamy one-pot pasta with sausage and kale

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and carrot. Sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Add sausage (casing removed, if in links) and brown, breaking up chunks. Add minced garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute.

Add the chicken broth and pasta to the pot, cover, and bring to a low boil. Cook the pasta for the time recommended on the package, typically 8 to 10 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent any sticking. 

Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the chopped kale, replace the lid, and simmer over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes. 

Finally, stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve topped with more parmesan and crushed red pepper if desired.

What to serve with one-pot pasta

• Crusty bread
• Simple green salad with vinaigrette
• Roasted seasonal vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, or squash

Make this creamy sausage and kale pasta your own

Looking for ways to make this recipe your own weeknight go-to? Here are a few ideas:

• Up the spice by using hot Italian sausage
• Increase the fiber content by adding cannellini beans
• Boost the fall flavor by adding roasted butternut squash
• Turn it into a soup by adding additional broth or whole milk

Frequently asked questions

What pasta works best for one-pot pasta?

Any short-cut, forkable pasta will work. Gemelli is my preference, but fusilli, rotini, farfalle (bowtie), penne, orecchiette, ziti, or even shells will do just fine!

Can I use spinach instead of kale?

Yes, spinach would definitely work in this recipe. Spinach wilts much more quickly, so just adjust the cooking time to 1-2 minutes.

Can I make this without cream?

You can substitute milk, but the dish will be less rich.

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes! Mild, sweet, or hot Italian sausage all work well, depending on your preference.

How can I make this allergy-friendly?

To make it gluten-free: Simply swap the pasta for brown rice, lentil, or chickpea pasta. In my experience, you’ll need to increase the broth by ½ cup and add a few minutes to the cooking time.

To make it dairy-free: This creamy sausage and kale pasta can be made dairy-free by substituting the heavy cream with a dairy-free alternative, or by swapping 1 cup of broth for unsweetened alternative milk such as almond, coconut, or soy milk. Then, swap the parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast. 

How do I store and reheat one-pot pasta?

To store this one-pot pasta with sausage and kale, allow it to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat with a splash of cream or broth to bring back the creamy texture.