Cheesy Stovetop Mac With Sausage and Kale
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 white onion
diced
- 1 large bunch kale
leaves only, coarsely chopped
- Kosher salt
- 3 large garlic cloves
minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 pound loose sweet Italian sausage
see Tip
- 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
- 1 pound short pasta
such as macaroni, cavatappi or fusilli
- 2 cups/8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar
- plus more to taste1 1/2 teaspoons hot sauce
Directions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large, wide pot or a very large, deep skillet over medium-high, then add the onion, kale and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale has cooked down and the onion is smaller in size, 4 to 5 minutes.
- 2
Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until the paste darkens slightly, 1 to 3 minutes.
- 3
Add the sausage and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces, until it loses its pink color, 4 to 5 minutes.
- 4
Add the red-pepper flakes, sprinkle with salt and give everything a good stir. Add the chicken broth and pasta and stir to combine. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, place a lid on the pan and cook until the pasta is soft but still has some bite to it, about 10 minutes. Be sure to check on the pasta and stir every now and again. (The sauce will have thickened from the starch in the pasta.)
- 5
Add the cheese and hot sauce and mix well. Add salt and additional hot sauce to taste before serving.
Cheesy Stovetop Mac With Sausage and Kale
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About this Recipe
Craving a satisfying, cheesy meal that comes together in a single pan? This Cheesy Stovetop Mac With Sausage and Kale is your answer for a delicious, fuss-free weeknight dinner that will quickly become a family favorite.
What makes this Cheesy Stovetop Mac special is its ingenious one-pan approach, inspired by classic skillet macs. The magic happens as the short pasta cooks directly in the liquid, releasing starch that naturally thickens into a rich, creamy sauce. Herby sweet Italian sausage, fresh garlic, and a hint of red-pepper flakes elevate this simple dish far beyond ordinary, making it taste like it took hours, not 30 minutes.
Get ready for a comforting bowl where tender short pasta is coated in a velvety, sharp Cheddar cheese sauce. Each bite offers savory notes from the Italian sausage, a subtle warmth from red-pepper flakes, and a fresh earthiness from the kale that cuts through the richness. It’s a surprisingly complex flavor profile for a dish that’s so quick to prepare, delivering that beloved hearty, cheesy goodness without a pile of dishes to clean.
Customization & Variations
- Feel free to swap the sweet Italian sausage for spicy Italian sausage if you prefer more heat, or even use ground turkey or beef for a different flavor profile.
- Adjust the amount of red-pepper flakes and hot sauce to tailor the spice level to your preference.
- While macaroni is classic, cavatappi or fusilli also work beautifully here, clinging well to the creamy sauce.
This hearty Cheesy Stovetop Mac With Sausage and Kale makes for an ideal family dinner, perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty toasted bread to soak up every last bit of the cheesy sauce.