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Creamy kale pasta with pine nuts and tomatoes in a white bowl.

20 Minute Creamy Kale Pasta

This 20-minute creamy kale pasta is a one-pot wonder, made with just 8 ingredients. It's an easy, delicious choice for weeknights, featuring a light and lemony cream sauce.
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Easy Dinner, pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Deborah Rainford

Ingredients

  • 100 g (1 ½ cups) cups kale, washed and trimmed
  • 350 g (¾ lb) 5 ½ cups dried pasta
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 300 ml (1 ⅓ cups) single cream
  • 50-75 ml (¼ cups) pasta water (*see notes)
  • 50 g (½ cups) Parmesan, grated
  • Fresh basil for serving
  • 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pine nuts

Instructions

Cook the pasta and prep the kale

  • Boil the pasta as per the package instructions. Remember to reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining.
  • Wash the kale and remove any large stems.

Sauté the garlic and make the sauce:

  • Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and golden. *Be sure not to overcook the garlic.
  • Add the cream to the pan and bring to a simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan and whisk together.

Add Kale and lemon, combine and serve:

  • Incorporate the lemon zest and kale into the sauce. Let it simmer for a minute or two until the kale wilts. If the sauce thickens too much, add some of the reserved pasta water.
  • Toss in the cooked pasta and top with chopped walnuts or pine nuts. Garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

  • Storing and Reheating Leftovers: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until hot. The sauce may thicken in the fridge; add water a tablespoon at a time to thin it out as needed.
  • Kale Prep: Make sure to wash the kale thoroughly and remove the thicker stems for a better texture in the pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 687kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 399mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3364IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 291mg | Iron: 2mg
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