Do you ever scrounge through your pantry looking for inspiration? I do this all the time when I haven’t planned dinner for the day and I’m pressed for time. Occasionally I hit the jack pot on a dish that wows everyone, including the ever so picky threenager of mine.
That’s exactly what happened today when I realized supper wasn’t going to make itself. Why haven’t they produced an affordable robot yet that does this?
Damn you “Back To The Future”, you lied and set unrealistic expectations of my adulthood!
Anyways I was saying, I climbed up to the cabinet and scrounged through my pantry for edibles and inspiration.
Yes, I climbed. Yes I’m that short.
Sometimes it’s comical watching me reach the shelf, but it’s actually really hard to convince the toddlers not to climb the cabinets after they watch me do it all the time.
Mom life. Short girl problems.
Anyways, I came up with some pasta from the cabinet, kale from the fridge, and homegrown sausage from the meat freezer. Sausage & Kale Mac N Cheese was born! 
I know what your thinking… mac n cheese with greens? Don’t worry, it’s delicious. You’ll love it and your kids will too. If your not a Kale fan you could easily switch it for spinach or even tomatoes would be yummy.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1 pound-ish of mild to medium sausage ( use ground turkey sausage for a leaner dish)
2 cups macaroni or any small pasta ( I used shells)
1/2cup chopped Kale
2 cups water
1 cup milk (preferably whole)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz cream cheese
Dash of dried rosemary, parsley, pepper
Pinch of salt
Here we go!
- First brown the sausage in a DEEP skillet until there’s no pink left.
- Add Kale, water, milk, pasta, and seasonings. If you don’t have rosemary or parsley just omit them. Plain old salt and pepper will work just fine.
- Simmer on medium low heat for about 12-15 minutes. I say about because I lost track of time while trying to keep the kids happy.
- Once pasta is tender, add the cheeses and allow them to melt into the dish and thicken up to your preference.
You did it! That’s why I love this dish, it’s easy! Alright, maybe I love it because it’s delicious but it’s easy as well. I literally made the whole thing using one arm while holding my 18 month old on my left hip! Mom life again.
You could easily get away with serving this as a main dish or as a side if you’d rather… nobody will care either way as long as you make it.
Eat up!! 
Farm To Table Mama 