Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale
Rigatoni is baked with juicy Italian sausage, tender kale, and a lush ricotta-pesto sauce, then finished with gooey mozzarella for a bubbling, golden-top casserole. Nutmeg and red pepper flakes add warmth and a gentle kick, while a splash of white wine brightens the flavors. Serve Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale for a cozy weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook50 mins
- Serves10
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 54 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 4 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 43 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 13
- Heart Health
- 68
- Metabolic
- 30
- Digestive
- 22
- Inflammatory
- 29
- Performance
- 31
- General Wellness
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- 2
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, for about 9 minutes (the pasta will not be fully cooked). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Set aside.
- 3
While the pasta cooks, place the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a paper towel-lined plate and leave the grease in the pan.
- 4
Add oil to the skillet and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the kale, nutmeg, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Deglaze the pan with white wine and cook until the kale is soft, 5 to 10 more minutes.
- 5
Return the sausage to the pan. Add the ricotta, pesto, and 6 ounces mozzarella cheese. Add the reserved pasta and cooking water. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Pour into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top. Cover with foil.
- 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Calories 641.15 kcal High 32%
- Protein 24.67 g Good Source 49%
- Carbohydrate 47.73 g 17%
- Total Fat 38.71 g High 50%
- Saturated Fat 11.92 g High 60%
- Trans Fat 0.15 g High --
- Cholesterol 75.35 mg High 25%
- Sodium 600.54 mg High 26%
- Dietary Fiber 3.81 g Moderate 14%
- Total Sugars 1.94 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 331.74 mg Good Source 26%
- Iron 3.18 mg Moderate 18%
- Potassium 209.95 mg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin A 320.12 mcg Good Source 36%
- Vitamin C 43.71 mg Good Source 49%
- Vitamin D 0.1 mcg Low Source 1%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Tree Nuts 🌰
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Sulfites
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
- Alcohol 🚫🍷
About This Recipe
Ricotta Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale is an Italian dinner recipe made with 13 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 5 mins, serves 10, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Cooking Spray, Ground Nutmeg, Italian Pork Sausage, and Kale. Each serving provides about 641.15 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale?
- It is an Italian pasta recipe made with 13 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
- What is Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale made of?
- The main ingredients are Cooking Spray, Ground Nutmeg, Italian Pork Sausage, Kale, Minced Garlic. The full list of 13 is above.
- What goes well with Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale?
- Explore these Italian side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale?
- About 1 hr 5 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 50 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 641.15 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 13 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale healthy?
- Ricotta-Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Kale has an easyChef Pro health score of 38/100. Per serving, it provides 641.15 calories and 24.67 g of protein, or 49% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 600.54 mg (26% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 11.92 g (60% of the Daily Value). It contains Tree Nuts, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Sulfites, Garlic, Onions and Alcohol, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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