Quick-cooking farro and tomatoes make for an insanely easy, one-pot wonder that will revolutionize your weeknight cooking. This recipe is a spin on a one-pot pasta, but in place of spaghetti we use farro, a nutty, fiber-rich grain (1). Sausage, kale, tomatoes, garlic and onion are all cooked in one vessel with some water and a little olive oil and gently simmered until the grain absorbs the liquid and the tomatoes break down to make a bright sauce. The result is a filling, risotto-like dish that also reheats beautifully for lunch the next day. This recipe calls for quick-cooking farro, but semi-pearled also works.

Active time: 10 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes

One-Pot Farro with Sausage, Kale and Tomatoes

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 lb (230g) sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 2 cups (400g) quick-cooking farro
• 1 lb (450g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• 4 cups water
• 2 cups (150g) packed Lacinato kale leaves, stemmed and chopped

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring frequently and breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and nearly cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F, about 3–5 minutes.

Add the farro, tomatoes, onion, garlic, kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Fold in the kale and cook for about 5 minutes more, or until wilted.

Spoon the farro mixture into shallow bowls. Drizzle with additional olive oil and garnish with torn basil leaves, freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and flaky sea salt, if desired. Serve immediately.

Serves: 6 | Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 408; Total Fat: 14g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 8g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 22mg; Sodium: 877mg; Carbohydrate: 55g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 15g

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin D: 4%; Calcium: 5%; Iron: 15%; Potassium: 413mg; Vitamin A: 13%; Vitamin C: 19%

Originally published November 6, 2018; Updated June 2026

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