Ingredients

• 1 pound (lbs.) ground sausage (hot or mild)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon (tbsp) minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons (tbsp) flour
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) dried basil
• ¹/₂ teaspoon (tsp) oregano
• ¹/₈ teaspoon (tsp) cayenne pepper
• ¹/₂ teaspoon (tsp) mustard powder
• ¹/₄ teaspoon (tsp) black pepper
• ¹/₈ teaspoon (tsp) red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) hot sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups chopped kale
• About 2 bags (10oz) tortellini (fresh or frozen)
• pinch of salt

Directions

1. In a medium pot, cook and crumble the sausage and diced onion over medium heat, until onion is softened and sausage is cooked through
2. Drain the grease
3. Add the garlic, and cook for about 1 minute
4. Add the flour, cooking for 1-2 minutes
5. Add basil, oregano, cayenne, hot sauce, mustard powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine
6. Add chicken broth and use a silicone / wooden spatula to clean off the bottom of the pot
7. Slowly stir in heavy cream. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer
8. Add the kale and tortellini, simmer for 3-5 minutes. If the tortellini is frozen, add it first, then add kale and cook for a total of about 8-10 minutes
9. Add a pinch of salt if needed