Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta

This Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta is a robust and flavorful dinner, which features kicky spicy chicken sausage and earthy kale. It’s a restaurant-quality meal in 20 minutes, ready in no time.

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Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta Ingredients

• 1 package (12 oz) Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage, sliced into coins
• 12 oz (¾ lb) Rigatoni or Penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bag (10 oz) chopped kale (or spinach), stems removed
• ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
• ½ cup chicken broth (in addition to above)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta

1. Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
2. Brown the sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage coins. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and crispy on the edges. Remove the sausage to a plate.
3. Sauté aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic (and red pepper flakes if you want it very spicy) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Wilt the kale: Add the chopped kale to the skillet. (It will look like a lot, but it shrinks). Pour in the white wine (or ½ cup broth) to help steam the greens. Stir, cover the pan, and cook for 3–4 minutes until the kale is wilted and tender.
5. Make the sauce: Uncover the pan. Add the chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits (fond) from the sausage. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
6. Combine: Add the cooked pasta and the browned sausage back into the skillet. Toss well to combine.
7. Emulsify: Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Pour in about ¼ cup of the reserved hot pasta water. Toss vigorously with tongs for 1 minute. The cheese and starchy water will emulsify into a glossy sauce that coats the noodles. Add more pasta water if it looks dry.
8. Serve: Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top.

Recipe Tips

• The Sausage Heat: The “Spicy Italian” variety has a genuine kick. The heat infuses the oil and vegetables. If serving to kids, you might prefer the “Sweet Italian” or “Roasted Garlic” variety instead.
• Kale Prep: Trader Joe’s bags of kale often contain large stems. Take a minute to pick through and discard the tough woody stems, as they won’t cook down as soft as the leaves.
• Pasta Water: This is the glue that holds the dish together. Without it, you just have oily pasta and veggies. With it, you have a cohesive, light sauce.
• Creamy Variation: For a richer dish, stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream or a dollop of mascarpone cheese in step 7 along with the pasta water.

What To Serve With Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta

• Garlic Bread: A classic side for pasta.
• Antipasto Salad: Olives, artichokes, and peppers.
• Red Wine: A Chianti or Sangiovese pairs well with the spice.
• Roasted Fennel: Complements the fennel seeds in the sausage.

How To Store Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
• Reheat: Microwave with a sprinkle of water, or sauté in a pan to crisp up the sausage again.
• Freeze: Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Trader Joe’s Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 480kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fat: 18g
• Saturates: 4g
• Sugar: 2g
• Salt: 1.1g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (based on 4 servings).

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