A simple, but delicious, pasta dish that is ready in under 15 minutes. This Garlic Parmesan Kale Pasta is a great way to cook with kale if you are not sure what to do with it. This is one of our favourite ways to use this vegetable when it is in season. Super comforting, but light and fresh too.
Don't you just love a healthy and delicious meal that comes together in just 15 minutes? For a quick meal, pasta is usually our go-to. But we are always trying to find ways to make it as nutrient dense as possible and this kale pasta ticks that box.
Kale is such a great source of iron, and we are always looking for new ways to use it. We love making Kale Crisps and Kale Soup, but this kale spaghetti is just total comfort food.
Looking for more comforting spaghetti recipes? Try our Chickpea Pasta or Mackerel Pasta.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pasta - Any pasta will work for kale pasta, but we prefer spaghetti.
- Oil - A really good quality extra virgin olive oil, as it makes the"sauce" for this spaghetti with kale.
- Garlic - There are 4 garlic cloves in this pasta with kale recipe, because it is meant to have a strong garlic flavour. Feel free to adjust.
- Kale - Trim the kale leaves off the stems (if using whole leaves) and then wash and dry.
- Cheese - We used Parmesan because it's a strong flavour. Use an alternative if you want to keep this vegetarian.
- Seasoning - A generous amount of salt and pepper and then some optional red chilli flakes if you want a kick of heat.
Kale Pasta Variations
Creamy sauce - We have just used some olive oil and Parmesan to make the sauce for this kale pasta recipe, but if you wanted to add some creaminess to it, then you can stir in some reduced fat creme fraiche.
Extra veggies - Any opportunity to get some extra vegetables is a good thing, right? Quick cook vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, aubergine (eggplant) and courgette (zucchini) all work well.
Cheese - We used Parmesan cheese, but you could add grated cheddar instead. For something creamier, a goat's cheese would be delicious with the kale.
How To Make Garlic Kale Pasta - Step by Step
- Step 1: Add the spaghetti to a pan of boiling water and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat the oil in a large pan and add the minced garlic. Sauté over a low heat for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the kale and continue to cook on a low heat for 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Drain the spaghetti and reserve 60ml (¼ cup) of the pasta water.
Add the pasta, water, salt, pepper and Parmesan. Mix well until the cheese has melted.
- Step 5: Serve with extra Parmesan and red chilli flakes (both optional).
Serving Suggestions
This pasta with kale really has it all. However, if you want some sides to go with it, then we have you covered.
Garlic bread and pasta is the perfect match and either our Air Fryer Garlic Bread or Cheesy Garlic Bread go really well with this.
For some extra vegetables on the side, why not try our Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Air Fryer Peppers or Sauteed Cabbage?
You could also serve it with some cooked chicken or salmon or even roasted chickpeas for a protein boost. Chopped cooked bacon is also really good in this for something a bit more indulgent.
Extra Tips
- Sprinkle some pine nuts on just before serving for some added texture.
- Some chopped sun-dried tomatoes are also a delicious addition to this kale pasta.
- A splash of white wine adds a lovely richness to the sauce.
- Squeeze some lemon juice over it before serving to add some freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is best eaten straight away, but if you have any leftovers, then they can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can reheat it in a pan with a little oil. We don't recommend freezing this. You can reheat it on the stove with a little water to loosen it up.
More Vegetable Pasta Recipes
If you’ve tried this kale and pasta recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Kale Pasta
Ingredients
- 140 g (5 oz) Spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil - extra virgin
- 4 Garlic cloves - crushed
- 100 g (5 cups) Kale
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- 1 pinch Ground black pepper
- 35 g (0.33 cups) Parmesan - grated
- Red chilli flakes - optional
Instructions
- Add 140 g Spaghetti to a pan of boiling water and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil in a large pan and add 4 Garlic cloves. Cook over a low heat for 2 minutes.
- Add 100 g Kale and continue to cook on a low heat for 3 minutes.
- Drain the spaghetti and reserve 60ml (¼ cup) of the cooking water.
- Add the pasta, water, 1 pinch Sea salt, 1 pinch Ground black pepper and 35 g Parmesan. Mix well until the cheese has melted.
- Serve with extra Parmesan and Red chilli flakes (both optional).
Recipe Tips
- Sprinkle some pine nuts on just before serving for some added texture.
- Some chopped sun-dried tomatoes are also a delicious addition to this kale pasta.
- A splash of white wine adds a lovely richness to the sauce.
- Squeeze some lemon juice over it before serving to add some freshness.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Kate says
This was very yummy. I doubled up the recipe as I cooked this recipe for a family of four last night. I told my youngest that the kale was dark green cabbage (something he does like) as he doesn't like Kale....ha ha...i tricked him! If I had told him it was Kale he definitely wouldn't have eaten the dish. I added in some cheeky crispy bacon lardons just so my boys wouldn't moan it was meat free! Everyone was happy. Thank you for a very easy tasty dish. :)
Dannii Martin says
Bacon sounds like a delicious addition. Thanks for sharing.