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Kale Pesto Pasta

Kale Pesto Pasta
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Kale Pesto Pasta is a quick, healthy, and delicious meal combining nutrient-rich kale with classic pesto ingredients to create a vibrant green sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests, this dish balances bold flavors, ease of preparation, and satisfying texture for a wholesome and versatile pasta experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 cups fresh kale leaves, washed and trimmed
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 12 ounces pasta of your choice (spaghetti, penne, fusilli, etc.)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the kale: Wash and trim the kale leaves to remove tough stems, then roughly chop. Blanch the kale in boiling water for 1-2 minutes to soften and mellow the flavor, then drain and let cool.
  2. Blend the pesto: In a food processor, combine the blanched kale, garlic cloves, pine nuts or walnuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse while slowly adding olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  3. Cook the pasta: Boil your chosen pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water then drain the pasta.
  4. Toss and combine: Mix the pesto sauce into the cooked pasta, adding reserved pasta water gradually as needed to loosen the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.
  5. Serve and enjoy: Plate the Kale Pesto Pasta, garnish as desired with extra Parmesan, toasted nuts, or herbs, and savor the fresh, vibrant flavors.

Notes

  • Quickly blanching kale softens its bitterness and creates a smoother pesto.
  • Toast nuts lightly before blending for intensified, earthy flavor.
  • Reserve and use pasta water to help the sauce cling better to the pasta.
  • Adjust pesto texture by adding more olive oil or lemon juice as desired.
  • Add fresh herbs or citrus zest just before serving for added brightness.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
  • Use different nuts like almonds, cashews, or sunflower seeds if preferred.
  • Add protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it a complete meal.
  • Make it spicy by including red pepper flakes or hot sauce to taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: kale pesto, pesto pasta, healthy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, quick dinner, gluten free pasta, dairy free pesto

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/kale-pesto-pasta/