This week, autumn has graced the Appalachian Mountains with its presence. The foliage offers a breathtaking display of reds and oranges, daylight wanes into the early evening, and the air carries a crisp, invigorating chill, even on the sunny days. It’s truly remarkable, but it also brings the desire for hearty comforting foods.
Yesterday was one of those fall days. It was cold and rainy, and a brief venture (of which I had many) outside left one feeling perpetually chilled. Now, you may wonder, why was I repeatedly braving the cold and rain? Well, my sweet little puppies seemed to forget the inclement weather and continued to insist that they wanted to go outside. They dislike rain but they seemed to be oblivious to that fact. It’s a good thing they are cute!
Nevertheless, the day was made for comfort food. This Spicy Sausage and Kale Pasta recipe never disappoints. It features a luscious creamy white sauce, jazzed up by a kick from red pepper flakes and the zesty Italian sausage, and it carries a hint of tanginess from melted goat cheese, that brings a comforting warmth from within. We like to serve it over spaghetti or angel hair pasta, departing from the ordinary “spaghetti” experience. So, the next time you find yourself chilled to the bone and needing some comfort food, give this pasta a try and don’t forget to let us know your thoughts!
Spicy Sausage and Kale Pasta
Ingredients:
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound spicy Italian sausage
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 quart whipping cream
2 Tablespoons flour
2 ounces Parmesan cheese
3 ounces goat cheese
5 cups kale, roughly chopped with stems removed
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and Pepper to taste
Pasta of choice
Directions:
1.) In a large saucepan, brown sausage until cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside.
2.) To the same pan, add chopped onion and minced garlic and cook until they start to become translucent, about 8 minutes.
3.) Return the cooked sausage to the pan and add water, red pepper flakes and bouillon cubes. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4.) Stir in whipping cream and flour and bring to gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and add in Parmesan cheese and goat cheese, stirring until cheeses are fully melted.
5.) Mix in kale, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes.
6.) Serve immediately over cooked pasta of your choice.
This dish is not just simple to prepare and comforting to eat, it also improves with time as the flavors meld together. The combination is one of our favorites and an excellent choice for any occasion!
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