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    Home » Pasta

    Creamy Kale Pasta

    Published: Dec 17, 2022 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Here's a creamy, tasty, and wholesome kale pasta with freshly grated lemon, ricotta, and parmesan cheese.

    This one's a quick and easy dinner, ready in just the time to cook the pasta. Easy to make vegetarian or vegan by subbing your favorite dairy-free cheese alternatives.

    Creamy kale pasta in a bowl with fork
    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving suggestions
    • Variations
    • Tip
    • Make Ahead & Storage
    • More Kale Recipes
    • More Pasta Dishes
    • Recipe

    Check out our Easy Pasta Recipes

    Our creamy kale pasta is inspired by two popular Italian recipes: pasta al limone and broccoli pasta.

    It's a terrific recipe for everyday dinners because it's tasty and fulfilling, and you can make it in literally the time it takes to boil the pasta.

    The secret to that is to cook the kale with the pasta, in the same pot, at the same time. As a result, the kale gets soft and creamy, and the pasta gets flavorful.

    While the pasta cooks, you can make the sauce by whipping together ricotta cheese, grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and grated lemon zest.

    Of course, you can make this recipe vegan by substituting vegan ricotta and parmesan for their dairy-full alternatives. Either way, it's going to be delicious!

    When the pasta is al dente, toss it in the sauce with some reserved pasta water, et voilà. Your dinner is served!

    Creamy Kale Pasta in a white bowl with lemon

    Ingredients

    Kale pasta ingredients

    Kale

    You can use dinosaur kale (also called lacinato kale, cavolo nero, or Tuscan kale) or curly kale.

    We'll show you how to make this creamy kale pasta with whole kale leaves, but you can also do it with pre-chopped kale that comes in a bag.

    In either case, you'll want to discard the woodier stems.

    Also, the kale boils in about 5 to 8 minutes, depending on how tough it is. We advise adding it to the post with the pasta halfway through the pasta cooking time.

    Pasta

    You can use any pasta, from long shapes like spaghetti and linguine to short ones like rigatoni, rotini, and penne.

    To make the recipe gluten-free, all you have to do is substitute gluten-free pasta for wheat pasta.

    Ricotta

    We make this recipe either with regular ricotta cheese or with our homemade dairy-free ricotta, which you can make with soy milk at home in half an hour.

    Parmesan

    You can use grated parmesan cheese (we recommend Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano for the best flavor) or substitute a dairy-free alternative.

    Olive oil

    Olive oil is optional; we use extra virgin olive oil. You can leave it out if you prefer your sauce to be oil-free.

    Lemon

    Grated lemon zest, ideally from an organic lemon, adds a pleasant zesty flavor to this recipe. However, we don't add lemon juice; we find it makes the sauce too tangy for us.

    Nutmeg

    Nutmeg is optional. It adds warmth and aroma that goes well with the creamy ricotta sauce.

    Garlic

    Garlic is optional, and we often don't add it to the sauce. However, if you want to add garlic, add one teaspoon of garlic powder or grate one clove right into the sauce.

    Salt and pepper

    We use sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like.

    Creamy Kale Pasta with fork and lemon

    Instructions

    Prep the kale

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil. In the mean, time prep the kale.

    If you use whole kale leaves, remove the leaves from the stems by holding the stem with one hand and pulling the leaf off with the other.

    removing kale leaves from stems

    Rinse the kale, then chop it into bite-size pieces. Set aside.

    chopping kale leaves

    Boil pasta and kale

    When the water boils, add salt and the pasta, and cook it on medium heat for half the time written on the package directions.

    Add the kale, stir, and cook until the pasta is al dente and the kale is soft.

    boil kale and rigatoni in a pot

    Make the sauce

    While the pasta cooks, make the sauce.

    To a mixing bowl large enough to contain the pasta, add the ricotta, grated parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, grated lemon zest, grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.

    lemon zest and ricotta in a glass bowl

    Stir well with a whisk until combined, taste, and adjust for lemon zest, pepper, and salt.

    whisk and ricotta sauce

    Toss pasta, kale, and sauce

    When the pasta is al dente, reserve one cup of pasta water, drain and add pasta and kale to the bowl with the sauce.

    Add ¼ cup of reserved pasta water, and toss until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Add more pasta water if necessary.

    rigatoni pasta and kale with ricotta sauce

    Serve it in a bowl; you can top it with grated lemon zest, grated nutmeg, black pepper, toasted pine nuts, or crushed walnuts.

    Creamy Kale Pasta with fork

    Serving suggestions

    Serve with a fresh salad for added greens:

    • Italian salad with croutons, black olives, and an easy lemon vinaigrette
    • Easy side salad: ready in 5 minutes with leafy greens and grated carrot
    • Kale salad: in case you want to use up leftover kale from the pasta
    • Fennel and orange salad with black olives and pomegranate seeds
    • 15-minute chickpea salad with fresh greens and a tangy mustard dressing
    • Kale salad with crumbled feta
      Kale Salad
    • Fennel salad in a bowl
      Fennel and Orange Salad
    • chickpea salad
      Chickpea Salad
    • Italian Salad
      Italian Salad

    Serve with seasonal roasted vegetables, such as:

    • Roasted butternut squash with fresh sage leaves and a buttery, tender, sweet side dish!
    • Easy roasted mushrooms: juicy and perfectly chewy, great as a pasta topping
    • Rainbow roasted vegetables: a side dish that fits any main meal
    • Roasted cauliflower florets: fabulous with white pasta, perfectly charred and tender
    • Roasted mushrooms with parsley
      Roasted Mushrooms
    • Roasted vegetables on a white plate
      Roasted Vegetables
    • roasted cauliflower
      Roasted Cauliflower
    • Roasted butternut squash and fork
      Roasted Butternut Squash

    Variations

    Make it with spinach

    spinach and ricotta pasta with fork

    Substitute spinach for kale to make a wonderfully creamy lemon ricotta pasta with spinach. It's easy, delicious, nutritious, and excellent when kale is out of season.

    Check out our lemon ricotta pasta with spinach.

    No greens, no problem

    rigatoni al limone with walnuts

    If you love the simplicity of a velvety smooth sauce, serve the ricotta sauce with the pasta and garnish with fresh thyme and crushed walnuts.

    This is essentially a Pasta al Limone ready in just 15 minutes and a comforting Italian dinner idea.

    Tip

    How to cook pasta

    You'll need:

    • 2 quarts (8 cups or 2 Liters) of water and 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of salt for 8 ounces (230 grams) of pasta to feed 2 to 3 people.
    • 3 quarts (12 cups or 3 Liters) of water and 1 ½ tablespoons (21 grams) of salt for 12 ounces (340 grams) of pasta to feed 4 people.
    • 1 gallon (16 cups or 4 liters) of water and 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of salt to cook 1 pound (450 grams) of pasta to feed 5 people.

    Make Ahead & Storage

    Make ahead: creamy kale pasta is best eaten right after making it. We don't recommend making it on or for meal prep.

    Refrigerator: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Also, store some reserved pasta water.

    Freezer: this recipe is not suitable for freezing.

    Reheat: do so in a large skillet on medium heat with ¼ to ½ cup of reserve pasta water or plain water for 5 minutes or until the sauce gets creamy. You can also reheat it in the microwave for two minutes, sprinkled with some water.

    More Kale Recipes

    If you're curious about ways to cook with kale, get inspiration from these green and easy kale recipes:

    • Kale pesto pasta with a quick kale pesto hugging tender al dente pasta
    • Easy kale chips: a wholesome finger food idea for game nights and dinner with friends
    • Tuscan soup with kale, white beans, and a creamy and thick texture
    • Easy Italian lentil soup with leafy greens and a rustic tomato-infused flavor
    • Savory mushroom pancakes with kale and mushroom filling
    • Kale pasta in a bowl
      Kale Pesto Pasta
    • Kale chip with red pepper flakes
      Kale Chips
    • Kale pesto and silver spoon
      Kale Pesto
    • Kale salad with crumbled feta
      Kale Salad

    More Pasta Dishes

    Pasta for dinner is no problem with these quick and tasty 20-minute pasta meals:

    • Broccoli pasta with mashed broccoli and orecchiette pasta, a creamy green dinner idea
    • Hummus pasta with sautéed mushrooms and hummus sauce, a family favorite
    • Pasta Pomodoro with an easy, tasty tomato sauce that everyone will love
    • Easy Pasta Puttanesca: dinner in 20 minutes with spaghetti, capers, olives, and loads of tomato sauce
    • Lemon pasta: creamy, tangy, and elegant dinner and restaurant-worthy meal
    • hummus pasta in a white bowl
      Hummus Pasta
    • Pasta Puttanesca in a white bowl
      Pasta Puttanesca
    • broccoli pasta with fork
      Broccoli Pasta
    • spaghetti pomodoro or tomato basil pasta
      Spaghetti Pomodoro

    For many more pasta ideas, check out our pasta category page.

    Recipe

    Creamy Kale Pasta with fork

    Creamy Kale Pasta

    Author: Nico
    Here's a creamy, tasty, and wholesome kale pasta with freshly grated lemon, ricotta, and parmesan cheese.
    This one's a quick and easy dinner, ready in just the time to cook the pasta. Easy to make vegetarian or vegan by subbing your favorite dairy-free cheese alternatives.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 545 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 12 ounces pasta any, we use rigatoni
    • 6 ounces kale
    • 1 cup ricotta or dairy-free ricotta
    • 1 cup parmesan cheese grated, or dairy-free cheese
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil optional
    • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg grated
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    Keep screen on

    Instructions
     

    BOIL PASTA AND KALE

    • Note: If you are using pre-chopped kale, skip to step 3.
      Remove kale leaves from stems by holding the stem with one hand and pulling the leaf off with the other.
      removing kale leaves from stems
    • Rinse and chop the kale into bite-size pieces.
      chopping kale leaves
    • Add pasta to a large pot of salted boiling water.
      Add the kale half way through the pasta cooking time, stir, and boil until the pasta is al dente and kale is soft.
      boil kale and rigatoni in a pot

    MAKE THE SAUCE

    • While the pasta cooks, make the sauce.
      To a large mixing bowl add ricotta, parmesan, oil, lemon zest, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.
      lemon zest and ricotta in a glass bowl
    • Whisk until well combined.
      whisk and ricotta sauce
    • When pasta is al dente, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain pasta and kale, and add them to the sauce.
      Add ¼ cup of reserved pasta water and toss until pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Add more pasta water if necessary.
      rigatoni pasta and kale with ricotta sauce
    • Serve it in a bowl, you can top it with grated lemon zest, grated nutmeg, grated parmesan, toasted pine nuts, or crushed walnuts.
      Creamy Kale Pasta in a white bowl with lemon

    Video Recipe

    Creamy Kale Pasta in 20 minutes

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 serving of creamy kale pasta out of 4, without the olive oil.

    HOW TO COOK PASTA

    You'll need:
    • 2 quarts (8 cups or 2 Liters) of water and 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of salt for 8 ounces (230 grams) of pasta to feed 2 to 3 people.
    • 3 quarts (12 cups or 3 Liters) of water and 1 ½ tablespoons (21 grams) of salt for 12 ounces (340 grams) of pasta to feed 4 people.
    • 1 gallon (16 cups or 4 liters) of water and 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of salt to cook 1 pound (450 grams) of pasta to feed 5 people.
     

    MAKE AHEAD & STORAGE

    Make ahead: creamy kale pasta is best eaten right after making it. We don't recommend making it on or for meal prep.
    Refrigerator: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Also, store some reserved pasta water.
    Freezer: this recipe is not suitable for freezing.
    Reheat: do so in a large skillet on medium heat with ¼ to ½ cup of reserve pasta water or plain water for 5 minutes or until the sauce gets creamy. You can also reheat it in the microwave for two minutes, sprinkled with some water.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Creamy Kale Pasta
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    545
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    17
    g
    26
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    9
    g
    56
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    54
    mg
    18
    %
    Potassium
     
    451
    mg
    13
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    70
    g
    23
    %
    Dietary Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    3
    g
    3
    %
    Protein
     
    27
    g
    54
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    4743
    IU
    95
    %
    Vitamin B6
     
    0.2
    mg
    10
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    40
    mg
    48
    %
    Vitamin E
     
    1
    mg
    7
    %
    Vitamin K
     
    167
    µg
    159
    %
    Calcium
     
    477
    mg
    48
    %
    Folate
     
    51
    µg
    13
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    Manganese
     
    1
    mg
    50
    %
    Magnesium
     
    75
    mg
    19
    %
    Zinc
     
    3
    mg
    20
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?Leave us a comment below or find us on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    If you liked this creamy kale pasta, you might also enjoy the following:

    • easy pasta recipes in 30 minutes
      40 Easy Pasta Recipes
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      40 Easy Meatless Meals
    • Vegetable sides with salad and mashed veggies
      40 Best Vegetable Sides
    • Easy dinners pasta and stuffed veggies
      40 easy dinners
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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

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