This 20 Minute One Pot Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Greens is my go-to when there is a bunch of kale in the fridge that needs to get used up. My kids were NOT happy when they saw the kale going into the pot. But pesto covers a lot of sins! They ate every bite. I always keep a big jar of pesto from Costco in the fridge for exactly this reason. This recipe is very similar to my 20 Minute Pesto Pasta with Beans and Sausages, except everything cooks in one pot so there is only one pot to wash. Is there an easier way to get greens into a weeknight dinner? Please let me know!
TIPS
- I cook the sausage in the same pot I boiled the pasta in. Just drain the pasta, put the empty pot back on the stove, and add the oil. One pot and one colander for the whole dinner. Same trick I use for my One Pot Rice Meal with Pork and Greens.
- I use fully cooked sausage (Aidells is my favorite) so it only needs a minute in the hot pan to warm up and brown a little. If your sausage is raw, you will need to cook it all the way through first, which adds about 5 minutes.
- Kale takes longer to wilt than spinach. I tear the leaves into small pieces and leave out the thick stems. If the kale is being stubborn, put a lid on the pot for a minute and it will wilt right down.
- Save a little pasta water before you drain! Pesto gets thick and sticky the moment it hits the warm pot. A spoonful or two of that starchy water loosens everything back up so the pesto coats the pasta evenly instead of clumping.
- You can add a rinsed can of white beans to stretch this further. And on the nights when the greens get voted down entirely, we make 3 Minute Instant Pot Mac and Cheese instead and I do not argue 🙂
20 Minute One Pot Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Greens
One pot pesto pasta with sausage and greens, on the table in 20 minutes. The pasta, sausage and kale all cook in the same pot, so there is only one to wash.
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain it and set it aside.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the sausage into bite size pieces.
- Wash the kale or spinach and tear or cut it into smaller pieces. Remove the thick stems if you are using kale.
- Return the empty pasta pot to medium heat and add the oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the sausage. Cook for a minute if your sausage is fully cooked, or until browned and cooked through if it is raw.
- Add the kale or spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Add the pasta and the pesto back to the pot. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve & enjoy!
Notes
I use Aidells fully cooked sausage and Kirkland Signature basil pesto from Costco. If you want to stretch this further, add a rinsed can of white beans along with the pasta.
