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This is just like our other pasta templates; it's adaptable to whatever you have around. But the main thing is to really brown the sausage and also to cook the kale well. All those flavors are very bold, and yet this comes together so quickly!

Orecchiette with Sausage and Kale
Serves 4, with leftovers

1 pound orecchiette
3/4 pound smoked chorizo or andouille sausage
Olive oil
About 4 cups kale, mustard greens, or another hearty green, torn into bite-sized shreds
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup toasted pine-nuts
1 cup shredded Parmesan or Pecorino

Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling and cook the pasta according to package directions. When tender, drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot and set aside.

Meanwhile, slice the sausage on the diagonal into 1/2 inch slices. Heat a large sauté pan over medium high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. When hot, add the sausage and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until well-browned.

Shove the browned sausage to the side and add the kale. Pour the chicken broth in, cover, and cook for about 8 minutes, or until the kale is wilted and tender.

Mix the kale, sausage, pine-nuts, cheese, and reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water into the cooked pasta. Serve!

More pasta, sausage, and greens:
• Dinner Quick: Anelletti Pasta with Sausage and Greens
• Dinner Quick: Pasta with Feta, Broccoli, and Sausage
• Italian Template Recipe: Pasta, Meat, Greens and Cheese

(Images: Faith Durand)