20-Minute Orecchiette with Sausage, Kale & Sundried Tomatoes: A Quick & Flavorful Weeknight Pasta Recipe
Are you searching for a pasta dish that combines unique, bold flavors with the ultimate convenience of a 20-minute prep time? Look no further than this incredible Orecchiette with Sausage, Kale, and Sundried Tomato recipe. This dish is a true testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly mouthwatering. Imagine delicate “little ear” pasta, savory chicken sausage, vibrant kale, and intensely flavored sundried tomatoes, all finished in a light, zesty olive oil and lemon sauce. It’s a culinary experience that’s both comforting and fresh, making it an instant hit for any busy evening.
Why You’ll Love This Quick & Flavorful Pasta Dish
The moment I shared a photo of this recipe on my social media channels, like Instagram and Facebook, the response was overwhelming. Many of you immediately asked for the recipe, sharing in my excitement – and for good reason! I’m always on the hunt for pasta dishes that are packed with robust flavors and a variety of ingredients, yet remain incredibly easy and quick to prepare. This recipe ticks all those boxes, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.
You might recall another favorite, my One Pot Kale Broccoli Chickpea Orecchiette Pasta, which I shared previously. There’s just something so delightful about this small, delicate pasta shape. My kids, in particular, love to call it “ear pasta” due to its distinctive indentation that perfectly cradles the sauce and all the delicious bits of sausage, kale, and sundried tomato. It’s a fun and engaging way to get them excited about dinner!
Decoding Orecchiette: The Little Ear Pasta
Orecchiette, meaning “little ears” in Italian, is a unique pasta shape originating from Puglia, a region in Southern Italy. Its signature concave shape and rough texture make it ideal for capturing and holding onto hearty sauces and small ingredients, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. Unlike smoother pasta varieties, orecchiette provides a delightful chew and surface area for ingredients like our chicken sausage, wilted kale, and sundried tomatoes to cling to, making for a truly satisfying mouthful. It cooks relatively quickly and perfectly complements the other elements of this dish, offering a wonderful base for our flavorful sauce.
Crafting the Perfect Pantry-Friendly Meal
One of my favorite culinary pastimes is opening my pantry and refrigerator at dinner time and creating a delicious meal from the ingredients I already have on hand. It’s a wonderful way to minimize waste and unleash creativity in the kitchen. That’s exactly how today’s Orecchiette with Sausage, Kale, and Sundried Tomato came to be.
I recently received a jar of exquisite julienne-style sundried tomatoes by Cara Mia, and they had been patiently waiting for their moment to shine. I instantly knew their concentrated, sweet-tart flavor would be a perfect match for the fresh baby kale and lean chicken sausage I had in my fridge. Sundried tomatoes, with their intense umami and slightly chewy texture, truly are one of my go-to ingredients for elevating any pasta dish.
Spotlight on Key Ingredients for Orecchiette with Sausage & Kale
-
Savory Chicken Sausage
Chicken sausage is a fantastic choice for this dish. It offers a lean protein source without sacrificing flavor. Its pre-cooked nature means less fuss and a quicker meal, while still providing that satisfying texture and savory depth. You can choose a spicy variety for an extra kick or a mild one for a more subdued flavor profile. The beauty is its versatility.
-
Nutrient-Rich Kale
Kale, particularly baby kale, adds a wonderful earthy flavor and a wealth of nutrients to this pasta. It wilts beautifully into the sauce, softening its texture while retaining its vibrant color and health benefits. It’s packed with vitamins K, A, and C, making this dish not just delicious but incredibly wholesome. If you’re not a fan of kale, other greens work just as well!
-
Intense Sundried Tomatoes
These little gems are flavor powerhouses. Sundried tomatoes, whether oil-packed or rehydrated, bring a concentrated sweetness and tang that perfectly complements the savory sausage and earthy kale. They add a chewy texture and a burst of Mediterranean essence that truly defines this dish. Using julienned sundried tomatoes ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
-
Bright Lemon & Olive Oil Sauce
Instead of a heavy cream or butter-laden sauce, this recipe opts for a light and refreshing combination of olive oil, fresh garlic, and bright lemon juice. This simple sauce coats the pasta and ingredients without weighing them down, allowing the individual flavors to shine. The lemon adds a crucial touch of acidity that cuts through the richness of the sausage and sundried tomatoes, tying all the elements together with a fresh, invigorating finish.
Customize Your Creation: Endless Possibilities
While orecchiette was my pasta of choice (and always a favorite!), the beauty of this dish lies in its incredible adaptability. Don’t feel confined by the exact ingredients; feel free to use what you have on hand or what your family prefers. This recipe is designed to be a flexible foundation for your culinary creativity. Here are some fantastic ideas to make this dish uniquely yours:
-
Go Vegetarian or Add More Protein
If you’re looking to make this a hearty vegetarian meal, simply omit the chicken sausage. To ensure you still get a good source of protein and fiber, try incorporating beans! White beans (cannellini or great northern) or chickpeas would be excellent additions, providing a creamy texture and satisfying bite that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
-
Swap Your Proteins
Not a fan of sausage? No problem! This dish is incredibly versatile when it comes to protein. Consider adding grilled chicken breast, succulent shrimp, or even crumbled ground turkey or beef. Cook these proteins separately and then stir them in with the kale and sundried tomatoes for a delicious alternative.
-
Embrace Different Greens
Kale might not be everyone’s favorite, and that’s perfectly fine! You can easily substitute it with other leafy greens that wilt down nicely. Fresh spinach, peppery arugula, or slightly bitter Swiss chard would all work wonderfully in this recipe, offering similar health benefits and textures once cooked.
-
Indulge in Cheese
For the cheese lovers out there, don’t hesitate to add a generous sprinkle! Feta cheese would introduce a salty, tangy counterpoint, while creamy goat cheese could add a luxurious richness. Of course, a classic grating of Parmesan cheese always works to enhance the savory notes of any pasta dish. Even a handful of fresh mozzarella would be delightful.
-
Add a Delightful Crunch
If you enjoy a bit of texture in your pasta, consider adding some crunchy elements. Toasted pine nuts or walnuts provide healthy fats and a satisfying crunch that elevates the dish. For an extra layer of flavor and texture, a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs could also be a fantastic addition, offering a golden, crispy contrast to the tender pasta and vegetables.
Mastering Your 20-Minute Orecchiette: Tips for Success
Achieving this delicious dish in just 20 minutes is entirely possible with a few smart steps. First, ensure your pasta water is boiling before you start sautéing your other ingredients, so both components cook simultaneously. Cook the orecchiette al dente for the best texture. Don’t overcook the kale; it just needs to wilt slightly to integrate perfectly. High-quality olive oil and fresh lemon juice will make a noticeable difference in the final brightness of the sauce. And remember, the key to its speed is efficient multi-tasking and having your ingredients prepped and ready to go!
Serving Suggestions & Storage
This Orecchiette with Sausage, Kale, and Sundried Tomato pasta is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad and some crusty bread to soak up any remaining delicious sauce. If you have leftovers, they store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. It’s an excellent candidate for meal prep, providing delicious lunches or dinners throughout the week.
This dish truly came together in about 20 minutes for me, making it an ideal easy weeknight meal. You can also feel great about feeding this wholesome and flavorful pasta to your family. To make it even healthier, consider using a whole wheat orecchiette pasta, which adds extra fiber and nutrients without compromising on taste or texture. Many pasta dishes rely on butter for richness, but this recipe leverages a light olive oil, aromatic garlic, and bright lemon sauce. This combination delivers a sweet, savory, and tangy flavor profile that’s incredibly satisfying and won’t weigh you down.
As you begin to stock up on your favorite winter recipes, this Orecchiette with Sausage, Kale, and Sundried Tomato is an absolute must-add to your collection. It’s comforting, vibrant, and effortlessly delicious – sure to become a cherished recipe in your home.
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below! Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on
Facebook,
Instagram, or
Pinterest for the latest.
Orecchiette with Sausage Kale and Sundried Tomato
Saved
Pin
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Orecchiette pasta , {or pasta of your choice}
- 5 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/4 sweet onion, chopped {about 1 cup}
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed, diced {or pepper of your choice}
- 6 oz. chicken sausage, sliced {or sausage or meat of you choice}
- 5 oz. baby kale , {or greens of your choice}
- 4 oz. sundried tomatoes
- 1 lemon, juiced
- parsley
- Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper
Instructions
-
Cook the pasta in a large pot according to the package.
-
While the pasta cooks, heat 3 Tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is soft. Add the bell pepper and sausage and continue to sauté until the sausage is cooked through, about 7-8 minutes {this depends on the type of sausage or meat you use}.
-
Add the baby kale, sundried tomatoes, lemon juice and 2 Tablespoons olive oil and continue to cook until the kale is wilted.
-
Remove from the heat and stir in the cooked pasta. Mix well. Garnish with fresh parsley, parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper {optional}.
Notes
- There are a lot of ways you can customize this dish. If you want to add beans for extra protein or to make it vegetarian without the meat try white beans or chickpeas.
- If you like cheese try adding parmesan cheese, mozzarella or feta.
- For extra crunch try adding a handful of toasted pine nuts or walnuts.
- I used baby kale but if you don’t like kale try spinach, Swiss chard or your favorite green.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thanks to Star Fine Foods for sending me olive oil and piquillo peppers to use for this recipe. As always, opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that allow me to create new recipes for you!