Introducing Our Unique Sausage and Kale Lasagna

This recipe might just be the most unexpected culinary delight you’ll encounter. When I first presented the idea to my two teenagers and their younger sibling, the initial reaction was a raised eyebrow and a hint of skepticism. Introducing a leafy green like kale into a beloved classic like lasagna isn’t always met with enthusiasm, especially from a youthful audience.

However, in our household, a cardinal rule prevails: you must taste it first before forming an opinion. And if Dad gives it his seal of approval, the plate must be cleared. This time, the verdict was overwhelmingly positive. The plates, much to my delight, were completely empty, and the recipe earned a coveted spot in our regular rotation. It just goes to show that even the most adventurous food combinations can win over the toughest critics!

The Surprising Marriage of Kale and Sausage in Lasagna

“Mom, really, kale in lasagna? Are you serious?” This was the typical response, laced with a mix of disbelief and playful protest. My answer, as always, was firm yet inviting: “Just taste it, and then we’ll talk.” And talk we did, but not about objections. Instead, it was about how surprisingly delicious it turned out to be!

The fresh, savory sausage brings a rich, umami depth to the lasagna, perfectly complementing the earthy notes of the kale. There’s a reason why kale and sausage are a beloved combination in many cuisines – their flavors are simply made for each other. In this lasagna, the kale not only contributes a wealth of vitamins and nutrients but also adds a delightful, tender-crisp texture, or “bite,” that elevates the entire dish beyond a typical cheesy pasta bake. It’s a wonderful way to sneak in extra greens without sacrificing flavor or comfort.

According to my discerning family, this recipe is a keeper and should grace our dinner table far more often. As a cook, there’s no greater compliment than seeing empty plates and hearing requests for an encore!

Why This Sausage and Kale Lasagna is a Must-Try

Beyond its surprising deliciousness, this Sausage and Kale Lasagna offers numerous benefits that make it an ideal choice for your next family meal:

• Nutrient-Packed: Kale is a superfood, brimming with vitamins K, A, C, and essential minerals. Combined with the protein from the sausage and the calcium from the cheese, this dish is a nutritional powerhouse.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: Lasagna, by nature, is comforting. The layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, savory sausage, and melty cheese create a warm, hearty meal perfect for cooler evenings or whenever you need a culinary hug.
• Family-Friendly: Despite initial skepticism, the combination of familiar Italian flavors with the subtle earthiness of kale proves to be a hit with both adults and children. It’s an excellent way to introduce more greens into your family’s diet in an appealing format.
• Flavorful Twist: This recipe offers a delightful departure from traditional lasagna. The robust flavor of Italian sausage paired with the slight bitterness of kale creates a balanced and complex profile that keeps things interesting.
• Versatile: While perfect for a weeknight dinner, this lasagna is also impressive enough for entertaining guests. It can be made ahead of time, making meal prep a breeze.

Embrace the unexpected and add this wholesome and incredibly satisfying lasagna to your repertoire. It’s a testament to how traditional dishes can be beautifully enhanced with a touch of culinary creativity.

Essential Ingredients for Your Delicious Sausage and Kale Lasagna

To embark on the journey of preparing this delectable Sausage and Kale Lasagna, you’ll need a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. The precise measurements for each component can be conveniently found in the detailed recipe card located at the conclusion of this blog post. Let’s dive into what makes this lasagna truly special.

Crafting the Perfect Homemade Tomato Sauce

The foundation of any great lasagna is a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. Our homemade version offers unparalleled depth and freshness:

• Onion and Garlic: These aromatic powerhouses form the essential base for our sauce. Sautéing them until fragrant releases their sweet and pungent notes, setting the stage for a truly robust flavor profile. Don’t underestimate the impact of this simple duo!
• Sieved Tomato (Passata), Tomato Paste, and Diced Tomatoes: We use a carefully chosen combination of these three tomato forms to create a sauce with exceptional depth of flavor and varied texture.
  • Tomato paste delivers an intense, concentrated tomato essence, boosting the overall umami.
  • Diced tomatoes provide a delightful, chunky texture and a bright, fresh tomato taste.
  • Tomato passata (or sieved tomatoes) consists of pureed tomatoes with no seeds or skin, resulting in a beautifully smooth base without any lumps. It’s ideal for achieving a velvety sauce consistency. If passata isn’t available, an equivalent weight of crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, or even a good quality tomato sauce can be substituted.
• Sugar: A small amount of sugar is crucial for balancing the natural acidity of the tomatoes. Tomatoes can vary in tartness, so it’s always a good idea to taste the sauce before incorporating it into the lasagna and adjust the sugar if needed to achieve a perfectly harmonious flavor.
• Bay Leaf, Thyme, and Italian Herbs: These classic herbs infuse the sauce with quintessential Italian flavors. The bay leaf adds a subtle, almost medicinal depth, while thyme contributes a delicate earthiness. A blend of Italian herbs ties all the flavors together, creating a fragrant and inviting aroma that will fill your kitchen.

Key Components for the Sausage and Kale Lasagna Layers

Here’s what you’ll need to build the delicious layers of your lasagna:

• Kale: This vibrant winter green is the star of our healthy twist! Opt for pre-sliced kale or take a few minutes to cut whole leaves into ½-inch thick strips. Thoroughly wash the kale before use to ensure it’s free from grit. A fantastic source of vitamins, kale wilts down beautifully in the pan. A pro tip: retain some of the water clinging to the washed kale when adding it to the pan; this helps it shrink faster and prevents sticking. Stir frequently during cooking. If you only have frozen kale on hand, simply thaw it and drain thoroughly to prevent the lasagna sauce from becoming watery. For variations, you can substitute kale with 1 pound (approximately 400 grams) of fresh spinach or ¾ pound (around 300 grams) of cavolo nero (Tuscan kale).
• Ricotta, Parmesan, and Mozzarella Cheese: Instead of a traditional béchamel sauce, we embrace a rich, creamy, and flavorful cheese blend for our lasagna.
  • Ricotta cheese provides a light, creamy texture to the layers. Ensure you use a firm, full-fat ricotta, not the spreadable whipped or smooth varieties, which are too watery for baking. If ricotta is unavailable, drained cottage cheese can be a good substitute – just be sure to press out any excess liquid for about 15 minutes before mixing.
  • Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty, and savory depth, enhancing the overall Italian character.
  • Mozzarella cheese, especially fresh or low-moisture part-skim, melts beautifully, creating those irresistible, bubbly, golden-brown gratin toppings and stretchy cheese pulls within the layers.
• Lasagna Sheets: You can choose between fresh or dried lasagna sheets. If using dried sheets, always check the package instructions. Some “no-cook” or “oven-ready” varieties don’t require pre-cooking, while others benefit from a quick blanch in boiling water before layering. Break the sheets in half if necessary to perfectly fit and fill your baking dish, ensuring an even distribution of pasta in each layer. The precise size of the sheets matters less than ensuring each layer is well-covered.
• Sausage: Use a high-quality Italian sausage, either sweet or spicy, depending on your preference. Remove the casings before browning the meat for easy crumbling and mixing. The sausage provides a rich, savory, and satisfying element to the dish.

Step-by-Step Guide: Preparing Your Italian Lasagna with Sausage and Kale

Creating this delicious lasagna is a straightforward and rewarding process. For your convenience, a comprehensive printable recipe with detailed step-by-step instructions is available at the very end of this blog post. Follow these steps to assemble your masterpiece:

1. Start the Tomato Sauce: Begin by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and tomato paste, frying gently for about 2 minutes until the onion softens and the tomato paste deepens in color, enhancing its flavor. Introduce the minced garlic and sauté briefly for another 30 seconds until fragrant – be careful not to burn it.
2. Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the sieved tomatoes (passata) and diced tomatoes. Season generously with sugar (to balance acidity), salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Stir everything together thoroughly, then place the bay leaf on top. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes. This slow simmer allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Remember to remove the bay leaf before using the sauce.
3. Prepare the Sausage: While the sauce simmers, prepare the sausage. Carefully remove the casing from the sausage meat. In a separate bowl, mix the sausage meat with a teaspoon of Italian herbs, ensuring the flavors are well distributed.
4. Cook the Sausage and Kale: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large wok or a wide, deep pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned sausage meat, breaking it up with a spoon, and brown it quickly until it’s cooked through and slightly crispy. Next, add the thinly sliced (or cut) kale and the squeezed garlic cloves. Stir-fry for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the kale has significantly wilted and softened. The residual water from washing the kale will help it steam and shrink faster.
5. Combine and Layer the Lasagna: Turn off the heat from the kale and sausage mixture. Stir the rich tomato sauce into the wok, ensuring all ingredients are well combined. Then, add half of the mozzarella cheese to this mixture and stir until it begins to melt and integrate into the sauce, making it even creamier.
6. Assemble the Lasagna: Now, it’s time to assemble! Preheat your oven to 430°F (220°C) for a conventional oven, or 400°F (200°C) for a convection oven. Spoon one-third of the sausage and kale tomato sauce mixture into the bottom of a 13×9 inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Lay a single layer of lasagna sheets over the sauce. Spoon another one-third of the sauce over the pasta, followed by another layer of lasagna sheets. Finally, spread the remaining sauce over the second layer of pasta.
7. Add the Cheese Topping and Bake: Evenly crumble the ricotta cheese over the top layer of sauce. Distribute the remaining mozzarella cubes and generously sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake the lasagna in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese topping is beautifully golden brown and bubbly, and the lasagna is heated through.

Allow the lasagna to rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven before slicing and serving. This allows the layers to set, making for cleaner cuts and preventing the lasagna from falling apart. Enjoy this hearty and wholesome Italian-inspired comfort food!

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Andréa