This creamy sausage kale pasta is rich, comforting, and easy to make in less than 30 minutes. Italian sausage, orecchiette pasta, and kale come together in a lemon cream sauce, giving you a meal that’s guaranteed to be a hit every time.
Add water to a large pot, season with salt and bring it to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, in a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat, cook the shallots in olive oil for 2 minutes until translucent.
Add pork or sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, ½ tablespoon kosher salt and oregano and cook until fragrant, 1 more minute.
Add the finely chopped kale, saute until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese to the pan over medium heat. Stirring often, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Adjust salt to taste.
Add the drained pasta. If the sauce needs to be thinned out, add ¼ cup of pasta water. Stir to combine. Add more pasta water as you like.
Add the lemon juice and lemon zest, stir to combine.
Serve the pasta with more grated parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes.