Italian Sausage and Kale Baked Ziti

What you need:

• 12 oz. ziti or penne pasta
• 1 lb. ground Italian sausage, mild or spicy
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 3 large handfuls of kale leaves, stems removed, roughly chopped
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Shredded parmesan cheese
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, saute sausage over medium-high heat until browned, crumbling as you go. Then add minced garlic and saute for 1 minute or until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a stockpot or large saucepan al dente according to package directions. Drain.
3. Add cooked sausage and kale to drained pasta and toss until kale is dark green and slightly wilted.
4. Pour half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
5. Top with the other half of the pasta and the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with a little Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese melts and starts to turn golden brown.
7. Serve with additional Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.

Recipe from Gimme Some Oven