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Creamy kale pasta with farfalle in green herb pesto sauce topped with Parmesan and red pepper flakes

Creamy Kale Pasta with Fresh Herb Pesto Sauce and Parmesan

Creamy kale pasta combines farfalle with a fresh herb pesto-style sauce for a smooth, flavorful bowl. It is an easy weeknight pasta that balances rich pesto flavors with tender greens and a bright finish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: American
Calories: 402
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fresh Herb Pesto Sauce
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup packed parsley
  • 1/4 cup packed basil
  • 2 tablespoons capers or pitted olives
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt (less if using table salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • juice and zest of half a lemon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
  • 8 oz / 225 g farfalle
Kale Pasta
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter or vegan butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 stalks curly kale, stems removed, leaves chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup white wine, reserved cooking water, broth, or any combination
Finishing
  • red pepper flakes, to taste
  • grated Parmesan (omit Parmesan if vegan)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Blend the pine nuts, parsley, basil, capers or olives, salt, pepper, lemon juice and zest, and olive oil until the sauce is mostly smooth. The sauce will have a strong salty flavor before it is combined with the pasta.
  2. Cook the farfalle according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Cooking
  1. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add the prepared kale to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the leaves are softened and bright green.
  3. Pour in the white wine, reserved cooking water, broth, or combination of liquids and allow it to sizzle for a minute.
Finishing
  1. Add the drained pasta and pesto sauce to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
  2. Adjust the seasoning with Parmesan, lemon, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.

Notes

The pesto-style sauce should taste strongly seasoned before mixing with the pasta, as the flavors will balance once combined with the other ingredients.