### Ziti Chickpeas with Sausage and Kale: A Hearty and Flavorful Dish
In the world of comfort cuisine, the union of beans, greens, and cheese is truly unparalleled. The dish referred to as Ziti Chickpeas with Sausage and Kale, playfully nicknamed “Pizza Beans 2.0,” draws its essence from the cherished Pizza Beans 1.0 presented in Smitten Kitchen’s second cookbook. This revised iteration is an exquisite fusion that elevates the original idea with more substantial ingredients and a bold flavor profile.
#### The Inspiration Behind the Dish
The initial Pizza Beans recipe was an inventive effort to combine Greek gigante beans in tomato sauce with the traditional American baked ziti, swapping beans for pasta. This ingenious marketing approach sought to encourage children to explore something new, and it yielded fantastic results. Nevertheless, the transition to Ziti Chickpeas with Sausage and Kale has shown to be even more favored among families, thanks to its robustness and taste.
#### Ingredients
To whip up this scrumptious dish, you will require the following ingredients:
– Glug of olive oil
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 12 ounces sweet or spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
– Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust according to your taste)
– 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
– 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
– 1 (6-8 ounce) bundle kale, stemmed and sliced into thin ribbons
– 3/4 pound mozzarella, coarsely grated (drain if wet)
– 2/3 cup finely grated pecorino cheese
– Garlic bread, for serving (optional)
#### Cooking Instructions
1. **Prepare the Base**: In a sizable sauté pan (ideally ovenproof), warm a couple of tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Introduce the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until tender (around 4 minutes).
2. **Cook the Sausage**: Add the Italian sausage, kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Brown the sausage while breaking it into bite-sized pieces (for about 6 to 8 minutes).
3. **Add Tomatoes and Chickpeas**: Fold in the crushed tomatoes and chickpeas, bringing the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer, adjusting the seasoning as necessary. Simmer for 10 to 25 minutes, adding water if the mixture thickens excessively.
4. **Incorporate the Kale**: Mix in the kale and cook until wilted (2 to 3 minutes). At this stage, the dish can be paused for later use or even frozen.
5. **Broil the Cheese**: Preheat your oven’s broiler. If using a non-ovenproof pan, move the mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle the mozzarella and pecorino cheese on top and broil until melted and browned in spots.
6. **Serve**: Savor the dish immediately, ideally over garlic bread, polenta, or pasta.
#### Meal Prep and Leftovers
This recipe produces a substantial quantity, making it ideal for meal prepping. Leftovers can be warmed in a 350-degree oven for about 15 minutes, providing a quick and fulfilling meal for hectic days.
### Conclusion
Ziti Chickpeas with Sausage and Kale is not merely a meal; it’s a tribute to flavors and textures that delivers comfort and satisfaction at the table. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or as a reheated leftover, this dish is bound to delight family members of all ages.