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    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian

    Creamy Kale Pasta

    Published: Sep 12, 2022 by Kelsey Smith

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    This creamy kale pasta is made with rich heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, garlic, and lemon. Bookmark this easy 20-minute dinner.

    This recipe is made with dinosaur kale (also known as lacinato kale, Tuscan kale, Italian kale, cavolo nero, black kale, or dino kale) but can be made with any type of kale. See more substitution notes below.

    Dino kale is slightly darker, more tender, and less bitter than curly kale (also known as green kale), making it ideal for soup and pasta. Learn more about different types of kale.

    This is a cozy pasta recipe for those cold winter months. Serve as the main dish or as a side alongside Italian chicken cutlets.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Creamy kale pasta.

    Recipe highlights

    • 20-minute meal: Only 5 minutes of prep!
    • Creamy: Made with heavy whipping cream and parmesan cheese.
    • Vegetarian: This is a simple meatless meal. See notes to learn how to ensure this is a vegetarian dish by using vegetarian parmesan cheese.

    More meatless pasta dishes to enjoy:

    • Avocado Bell Pepper Pasta
    • Lemon Parmesan Orzo
    • Pesto Orzo Salad
    Jump to:
    • Recipe highlights
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Dietary considerations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Frequently asked questions

    Ingredients

    Creamy kale pasta ingredients.
    • spaghetti - or your favorite pasta cut, long or short
    • olive oil - to cook the garlic and kale
    • garlic - minced
    • dinosaur kale - see substitution notes for more options or visit the frequently asked questions to learn more about kale
    • sun-dried tomatoes - drained and thinly sliced
    • heavy whipping cream - for a thick and creamy sauce, see substitution notes
    • parmesan cheese - shredded or grated
    • lemon juice and zest - for a zesty flavor
    • salt and pepper - to taste
    • fresh basil - optional, to garnish

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Cooked spaghetti.

    Cook spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Be sure to salt the water. Drain but do not rinse.

    Garlic in olive oil in a large pot.

    Meanwhile, add the olive oil (or the oil from sun-dried tomatoes) to a large pot or Dutch oven and bring to medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir for 30 to 60 seconds or until the garlic becomes fragrant.

    Uncooked kale in a Dutch oven.

    Add the kale and continue to cook for about 5 minutes.

    Cooked kale.

    The kale will wilt and the stalks becomes tender.

    Adding heavy cream to kale and sun-dried tomatoes.

    Add the sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream.

    Parmaesan cheese added to cooked kale.

    Add the parmesan cheese. Stir well and heat through

    Creamy kale pasta mixed in a Dutch oven.

    Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper (to taste) and mix in the cooked spaghetti. Stir until well-coated.

    Creamy kale pasta.

    Top creamy kale pasta with fresh basil (optional).

    Creamy kale pasta.

    Substitutions

    • Spaghetti - Spaghetti can be substituted with any long pasta cut (e.g., linguine and angel hair) or short pasta cut (e.g., rotini and bow ties).
    • Kale - Dinosaur kale (also known as lacinato kale, Tuscan kale, Italian kale, cavolo nero, black kale, or dino kale) is preferred because it is less bitter. Still, it can be substituted with green kale or baby spinach.
    • Sun-dried tomatoes - Dried tomatoes or tomatoes in oil can be used. The type stored in oil is more tender so it is recommended.
    • Heavy whipping cream - Heavy cream makes a thick, delicious sauce. It can be substituted with whipping cream (less fat) or double cream (more fat). Double cream is the British equivalent of heavy whipping cream. Learn more about cream types.

    Dietary considerations

    • Vegetarian - It's important to note that parmesan is not always vegetarian because it typically uses rennet. However, many brands (365 Whole Foods, Kroger, Organic Valley, and Trader Joe's) are vegetarian-friendly. See a list of vegetarian cheeses.
    • Vegan - Use egg-free pasta and non-dairy cream and parmesan alternatives.
    • Gluten-free - Use gluten-free pasta.

    Equipment

    • Large pot - for boiling the pasta
    • Dutch oven - for making the sauce and combining the pasta to coat

    Storage

    Store creamy kale pasta in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

    This recipe is best eaten fresh or stored in the fridge. While you can freeze pasta, the texture changes once thawed and reheated. It often breaks up in the reheating process and becomes dry or mushy.

    📖 Recipe

    Creamy kale pasta.
    Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Email Print

    Creamy Kale Pasta

    This creamy kale pasta is made with rich heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, garlic, and lemon. Bookmark this easy 20-minute dinner.
    5 from 2 votes
    Recipe by: Kelsey Smith
    Prep time: 5 minutes
    Cook time: 15 minutes
    Total time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4

    Equipment

    • Large pot
    • Dutch oven

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8 ounces spaghetti
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 4 garlic cloves minced
    • ½ pound dinosaur kale cut into 1-inch slices, de-stem if desired
    • 7 oz sun-dried tomatoes drained and thinly sliced
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • Salt to taste
    • Pepper to taste
    • Fresh basil optional, to garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Cook spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Be sure to salt the water. Drain but do not rinse.
    • Meanwhile, add the olive oil (or the oil from sun-dried tomatoes) to a large pot or Dutch oven and bring to medium-high heat.
    • Add the garlic and stir for 30 to 60 seconds or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
    • Add the kale and continue to cook for about 5 minutes or until the kale wilts and the stalks becomes tender.
    • Add the sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Stir well and heat through. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest and season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Stir in the cooked spaghetti until well-coated in the sauce. Top with fresh basil (optional).

    Notes

    Kale: Dinosaur kale may also be labeled as lacinato kale, Tuscan kale, Italian kale, cavolo nero, black kale, or dino kale. Can be substituted with green kale.
    Vegetarian: Parmesan is not always vegetarian because it traditionally uses rennet. However, many brands (e.g., 365 Whole Foods, Kroger, Organic Valley, and Trader Joe's) are vegetarian-friendly. Review the packaging before purchasing.
    Storage: Store creamy kale pasta in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Freezing is not recommended.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 627kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 17gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 401mgPotassium: 1196mgFiber: 7gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 7286IUVitamin C: 107mgCalcium: 335mgIron: 3mg
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: kale, pasta
    Tried this recipe?Rate it to let me know how it was!

    Frequently asked questions

    What is dinosaur kale?

    Dinosaur kale (also known as lacinato kale, Tuscan kale, Italian kale, cavolo nero, black kale, or dino kale) is slightly darker, more tender, and less bitter than curly kale (also known as green kale).

    Is parmesan cheese vegetarian?

    Parmesan is not always vegetarian because it typically uses rennet. However, many brands (e.g., 365 Whole Foods, Kroger, Organic Valley, and Trader Joe's) are vegetarian-friendly. Be sure to read the packaging before purchasing.

    Creamy Kale PastaCreamy Kale Pasta

    More Vegetarian

    • Biscoff Overnight Oats
    • Chickpea and Spinach Curry
    • Brioche French Toast Casserole
    • Pesto Orzo Salad

    About Kelsey Smith

    I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working on college textbooks, you might find me here, sharing recipes, social media tutorials, and more.

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing easy comfort food recipes.

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