Kale Pasta Recipe: A Nourishing, Vibrant Dish You'll Crave
This kale pasta recipe is a deliciously healthy option for those looking for an easy kale pasta dish. With its creamy kale sauce and nutritious ingredients, it's perfect for a satisfying vegetarian rigatoni meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 65ml/2fl oz oil cold-pressed rapeseed oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and slightly crushed
- 250g/9oz kale, stalks removed, roughly chopped
- 400g/14oz dried rigatoni
- 60g/2¼oz Parmesan (or vegetarian hard cheese), grated, plus extra to serve
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil with the crushed garlic cloves in a small saucepan over low heat. Let the garlic gently infuse for 6-8 minutes until golden but not burned. Remove from heat.
- Boil a large pot of salted water and blanch the kale for 3-4 minutes until softened but still bright green. Drain and rinse in cold water to stop further cooking. Squeeze out excess water.
- Cook the rigatoni in another pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Blend the prepared kale with the infused oil and one garlic clove (use both for a stronger flavor) until coarsely chopped. Add reserved pasta water to create a creamy consistency.
- Stir in the Parmesan and season generously with salt and pepper. Blend again until smooth and bright green.
- Toss the rigatoni with the kale sauce in the warm pan, adding extra pasta water if needed for even coating.
- Serve immediately with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and cracked black pepper.