When you're in a hurry, this Garlic Parmesan Kale Pasta is a filling and flavorful meal. Few ingredients, BIG flavor.
Prep time: PT10M
Cook time: PT15M
Total time: PT25M
Rating
4.59 stars (113 reviews)
Ingredients
1/2 lb kale ($1.48)
1/2 lb angel hair pasta ($0.54)
2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.44)
2 Tbsp butter ($0.25)
2 cloves garlic (minced, $0.08)
1/4 cup Parmesan (grated, $0.73)
Pinch salt and pepper ($0.05)
Pinch red pepper flakes ((optional), $0.05)
Steps
Pull the kale leaves from the woody stems and tear them into small 1 to 2-inch pieces. Rinse the torn kale well in a colander under cool, running water and allow it to drain.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Break the pasta in half, add it to the boiling water, and cook until al dente (about 7 minutes, but please refer to the package instructions). Drain the pasta in a colander.
While the pasta is cooking, add the olive oil, butter, and minced garlic to another large pot or skillet. Cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and fragrant. Add the kale and continue to sauté until the kale has wilted and has turned a deep green color (about 5-7 minutes). Turn the heat off.
Add the drained pasta to the pot with the sautéed kale. Toss the pasta and kale together. Allow them to cool to the point that steam is no longer rising from the pot. You want the pasta warm, but not hot enough to melt the Parmesan.
Season the pasta and kale with salt and freshly cracked pepper to your liking. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and toss to coat. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes over top if desired.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories: 373.7 kcal
Carbohydrates: 48.98 g
Protein: 11.48 g
Fat: 15.33 g
Sodium: 309.9 mg
Reviews
Thaddeus Verminopolis on 2025-06-16 (4 stars): Surprisingly good! Not a huge fan of kale, but I really like this!
I used about 1/8 tsp each of S&P, which I think was about perfect.
Curly on 2025-06-07 (5 stars): Made this using Spaghetti Squash instead of regular pasta. So good!
I-Rod on 2025-01-19 (5 stars): This is the best type of dish: simple ingredients, simple techniques, filling, relatively healthy, and anove all, delicious! I will be making it again, with sautéed mushrooms, which I love, and maybe a squeeze of lemon.
Carol on 2024-12-03 (5 stars): Delicious! I followed the recipe as written with 2 exceptions. I added a few chopped sun dried tomatoes and a little bit of pasta water. Great weeknight meal!
Judy on 2024-09-15 (5 stars): Delicious
Patty on 2024-07-09 (4 stars): I added diced tomato, used spinach and topped off with warmed cooked shrimp! You can always add some of the pasta water to thin it out!
Jo Ann Richards on 2024-06-23 (2 stars): Hi. I realize how much I do not like Kale however my husband does. Did not like this recepie. It was very dry even after I took some of the reviews to alter - Added fresh lemon, white wine, some more butter etc. I would probably make this with spinach to give it another chance but it needs some liquid or something to have the pasta moist.
Tks Jo
Rosemarie Torrence on 2024-06-18 (5 stars): excellent! just the method I was looking for. Yumm!
BTW I found a bag of shredded kale in a bag at the super market. That's why I brnyutrf into cooking kale. I'll add it to my rotation vegetable list.
Sal on 2024-05-30 (5 stars): I’ve made this twice now. Easy and yummy
Ray on 2024-03-23 (5 stars): And topped with pinenuts
Shelby on 2024-03-15 (2 stars): Wanted to like it. Pasta ends up being dry because the kale takes all the oil/moisture. I don't feel satiated after eating it because it feels incomplete, even with a protein added (I did chicken). Like it desperately needs a sauce or something. Hmm.
Vicky on 2024-03-13 (3 stars): I added sardines but the dish was a bit bland and oily overall. I'll take some tips from other commenters next time and try adding one or two of the following to add depth and brighten it up: white wine, lemon, toasted nuts, artichokes, cherry tomatoes, shrimp, more garlic.
CH on 2024-02-13 (4 stars): Very good and very easy! The instructions say seven minutes for angel-hair pasta. That’s way too long. Try 2-3.
Next time I would add some tomatoes or white beans into this.
CG on 2024-02-07 (5 stars): This was very good. I used Barilla protein pasta and I found this dish to be very delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
