Kale Pesto Pasta
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes: 4
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. whole wheat pasta, any shape
- 2-4 cups vegetables of your choice (such as broccoli, green peas, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, etc.)
- Kale Pesto (1 recipe)
PESTO INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup kale, packed
- ¼ cup basil (optional)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup olive oil
Directions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. If using vegetables that need to be cooked, add to the boiling pasta when there are about 2 minutes of cooking time left.
- Drain pasta and vegetables.
- To make pesto:
- Remove stems from the kale leaves. Discard the stems.
- Add the kale leaves (and basil, if using) to the food processor. Add parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt and olive oil.
- Puree until pesto is smooth.
- Chop any remaining vegetables.
- Toss pasta and vegetables with pesto in a large bowl.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes:
Kale is a leafy vegetable native to the Mediterranean. It can be used like spinach in recipes. Eat it cooked or raw.
Pesto is a traditional sauce from Italy. It is often served with pasta. The name comes from the Italian word “pestare” which means “crush”. Traditional pesto contains basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Now people make pesto with all kinds of different raw herbs and mix-ins.