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    Watch What U Eat > Italian Recipes

    Healthy Garlic Kale Pasta

    Published: Jul 20, 2021 by Watch What U Eat · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Collage image of garlic kale pasta in frying pan with wooden spoon ready serve. Also image is overlay with recipe title in the middle.

    Try this healthy garlic kale pasta to include super greens like kale into your diet. It is a super easy and quick recipe that you can make for your lunch or dinner.

    pesto kale pasta in a large frying pan with serving spoon.

    These days kale pasta with pesto is one of my favorite additions to our recipe rotations. The reason is kale. Because it is a superfood and making it this way, we both are loving it. So it's a win-win. Healthy as well tasty.

    Give this kale pasta a try and I am sure you will start loving the otherwise boring kale.

    Ingredients you will need!

    • Kale - use organic fresh kale for a flavorful dish.
    • Pasta - we love eating brown rice pasta. However, you can use your choice of pasta. Cook it according to the instructions given on the package.
    • Pesto - I use classic basil pesto to flavor the kale and pasta.
    • Garlic - use freshly chopped garlic.
    • Cooking oil - I always use cooking olive or avocado oil.
    • Tomato - it is optional. Add chopped tomato, in the end, to add a pop of color to the dish.
    ingredients like raw pasta, basil pesto, garlic cloves, oil and bunch of fresh kale gathered for making healthy garlic kale pasta.
    cooked pasta in a stainless steel colander read to prepare kale pasta dish.

    How to make garlic kale pasta?

    In a large frying pan, sauté freshly chopped garlic in some cooking oil. Then add chopped kale and cook until it wilts or the raw taste goes away. Now add cooked pasta, salt to taste, and chopped tomato. Stir the mixture for a couple of mins. Turn off the heat and then add basil pesto and mix well. Serve while it is warm.

    fresh chopped kale in a bowl
    fresh kale sautéed in a large frying pan.

    Serving suggestions!

    • Serve this shrimp and zucchini noodles or chicken in tomato sauce on the side of this pesto and kale pasta for a wholesome complete meal.
    • Or make baked salmon and veggies to serve with this pasta dish.
    • Or prepare Air Fryer chicken parmesan or vegetarian eggplant parmesan to complement this dish.
    pesto kale pasta in a large frying pan with serving spoon.

    Helpful Tips!

    • Use fresh and organic kale for more deliciousness. Chop kale leaves finely and as uniform as possible for an appealing appearance.
    • Preferably cook pasta for 1-2 min less than the cooking time mentioned on the package. This way, the pasta will not overcook later while sautéing with the veggies.
    • Whenever possible, use homemade fresh basil pesto for added flavors and freshness in the dish.
    • Add pesto at the end of cooking. Preferably turn off the heat and then mix pesto with pasta. This way, the basil in the pesto will not lose its taste and flavor due to high temperature or heating.
    • If you decide to use brown rice or quinoa pasta, then make sure not to overcook it. Also, handle it gently while mixing with the veggie and pesto to avoid breaking the pasta.

    FAQs

    How to store leftover garlic kale pasta

    Store remaining pasta in an air-tight glass container in the refrigerator. You can use it within 1-2 days.

    How to use leftover kale pasta

    Sprinkle some water over the leftover pasta and then microwave it for 1-2 min. Or heat it in a nonstick frying pan on the stovetop until it gets warm or hot as per your liking. If you are using gluten-free pasta (for example, brown rice or quinoa pasta), make sure to mix it gently to avoid breaking the pasta.

    pesto kale pasta in a large frying pan with serving spoon.

    More Italian inspired dishes to try

    • Healthy Lemon Chicken Soup With Orzo
    • Healthy Zucchini Flatbread
    • Whole Wheat Focaccia Bread
    • Healthy Pizza Recipe
    • All recipes here

    📖 Recipe

    pesto kale pasta in a large frying pan with serving spoon.
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Easy Garlic Kale Pasta

    Try this quick and easy garlic kale pasta with pesto to incorporate super greens into your diet. A perfect and healthy recipe for cooking during busy times.
    Course: Lunch / Dinner
    Cuisine: Italian Inspired
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings :4
    Calories :262kcal
    Author:Swati Kadam Gulati

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    Equipment

    • Large skillet or pan

    Ingredients

    • 5-6 oz fresh kale chopped
    • 3 cups raw pasta
    • 2-3 garlic cloves finely chopped
    • 2-3 tablespoon basil pesto
    • 1 teaspoon cooking oil
    • 1 medium roma tomato diced (optional)
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta according to instructions given on the packet. Drain and keep it aside.
    • Heat cooking oil in a large frying pan.
    • Add chopped garlic and cook until fragrant for about 30-40 seconds.
    • Then add fresh kale and saute for 3-4 min or until the raw taste goes away..
    • Now add cooked pasta to the kale and mix everything well. Gently stir the mixture for 2-3 minutes.
    • Turn off the heat, add basil pesto and chopped tomato to the kale pasta mixture. Mix well and serve warm.

    Notes

    1. Once the pasta is cooked, immediately drain and rinse with cold water to avoid overcooking. This step is crucial if you love your pasta al dente.
    2. You can add more pesto to the dish to get the desired taste.
    3. Adding tomato in the end is completely optional.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.3g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 4.6g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 1.6g | Sugar: 2.1g | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @watchwhatueat or tag #watchwhatueat! OR leave us a comment & rating below. Your feedback is very important to us.
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    About Watch What U Eat

    We are Swati and Tushar, our passion for food and cooking has now led us to share some healthy, tasty recipes and the benefits of eating certain ingredients with the goal of inspiring you to eat well and live well.

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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mary Ann Bachmann says

      August 03, 2022 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect summer dish when the garden is ripe with luscious tomatoes & bushy kale!

      Reply
    2. Raman says

      May 23, 2022 at 8:56 pm

      5 stars
      I loved the Kale in this pasta. It was nutritious and filling.

      Reply

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    Hi, we are Swati and Tushar! Our passion for food and cooking has led us to write this blog focusing on healthy recipes to eat well and live well!

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