Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Spicy Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage and Kale
Spicy Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage and Kale brings together pasta, chicken sausage, and kale. Put a mug or measuring cup beside the stove before you start. The quick notes will help you get the small jobs lined up before you start.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 10 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Chicken
- Cuisine
- American
- Preparation & total time
- Quick dinners · Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 30 minutes or less
- Dish type
- Pasta
A few quick notes
1. Keep a little pasta water
Put a mug or measuring cup beside the stove before you start. Scoop out the cooking water where the method tells you to, then add it gradually when bringing the pasta and sauce together.
2. Keep the package nearby
The method uses package directions for part of the cooking. Read those before choosing your start time, especially if you have a different brand or package size.
3. Have the finishing ingredients ready
Some of the finishing happens after the pan comes off the heat. Have those ingredients ready and follow that order, rather than adding everything at the beginning.
Get to know the ingredients
Pasta
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Before draining the orecchiette in a colander, reserve about 1/3 cup of the starchy pasta water.
Chicken sausage
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Slice the chicken sausage into medallions.
Kale
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Next, add the chopped kale and reserved pasta water.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 7 steps completeMake room for Spicy Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage and Kale
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Keep the last little job in mind
The recipe finishes with this step: Serve warm. Set out what you need for that finish before the cooking gets busy.
A little more help as you go
Set out the first ingredients
Look through the first cooking step and have its ingredients ready before you begin. It is easier to give the pan your attention when you are not still looking for the next item.
Leave room for the cooling step
The cooling step comes before another part of the finish. Set the food aside as the method directs and keep that pause in mind before cutting, coating or putting the final parts together.
Match the preparation in the method
Take a look at the chopping, slicing or shaving step before bringing the parts together. Use the preparation described there so the food goes into the next stage in the form the recipe expects.
A few questions you might have
What should I get ready before starting?
Set out the pot. Read the first preparation step before you get going: Cook the orecchiette according to the package directions.
Which little step is worth remembering?
Put a mug or measuring cup beside the stove before you start. Scoop out the cooking water where the method tells you to, then add it gradually when bringing the pasta and sauce together.
What check should I look for as it cooks?
Keep this part of the method in view: Add the olive oil and chicken sausage to a large pot and sauté over medium until the chicken sausage begins to brown (about 5 minutes).
Is there another preparation step to plan for?
Look through the first cooking step and have its ingredients ready before you begin. It is easier to give the pan your attention when you are not still looking for the next item.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: Budget Bytes. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
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