Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the shells until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain and drizzle with oil so they don't stick.
Place the empty pot back on the stove and heat the olive oil. Add the vegan sausage and cook until browned on both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon. Add the eggplant and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping every couple minutes.
Add the shallots, oregano and red pepper flakes. Cook for a couple of minutes, or until the shallots are tender. Add in the garlic, thyme and tomato paste. Cook for a couple of minutes. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes.*
Add the kale and toss until wilted. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add the cooked sausage and shells back to the pot. Toss until combined, adding pasta water as needed. Serve hot with fresh basil.
*The longer you can simmer this the better. If you plan to simmer it longer than 1 hour, I would wait to cook the pasta until you plan to serve.
Calories: 385kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 378mg, Potassium: 723mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 9g, Iron: 3mg