Easy Kale Pesto Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes Recipes

KALE PESTO PASTA WITH BURST CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the chopped kale, pecans, lemon juice, garlic cloves and salt. Pour in the olive oil and blend on high for 15 seconds, until smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides a few times in between blending.
• Next, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Add the spaghetti and cook as directed.
• Meanwhile, cook the tomatoes. In a separate medium-size pan, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes and a pinch of salt, then cover and cook for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes begin to burst open. Remove from heat and set aside. (Be careful not to lift the lid when the tomatoes are hot, as the juices and the oil will splatter! You can shake the pan by the handle to toss the tomatoes as needed.)
• When the pasta is tender, remove from heat and drain. Transfer the pasta back to the pot, then spoon the kale pesto on top. Toss until the pesto is evenly distributed. Add the tomatoes to the pot and toss together. Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil and/or grated parmesan cheese.

VEGAN KALE PESTO PASTA WITH PAN-ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil, and cook your pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain it, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. If using rice-based gluten-free pasta, rinse with cold water. Otherwise, drain but do not rinse.
• Add the toasted walnuts to your food processor and pulse a few times until crumbled.
• Add the kale, basil, nondairy milk, lemon juice, and salt, and continue to pulse, stopping to stir and scrape the sides if needed, until the kale and basil are finely chopped. Add more lemon juice to taste if desired, and set aside.
• Warm the olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until nicely browning and starting to get a little juicy - about 5-7 minutes.
• In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and a sprinkle of salt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallot is softened. Add the garlic and cook for just about 60 seconds more, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant.
• Add the pesto and stir. Cook, stirring frequently, until the kale softens slightly and turns brighter green, about 3-4 minutes depending on the variety of kale used.
• Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened slightly and clings to the pasta, and is warm throughout. Remove from the heat and adjust seasoning to taste. Serve warm. Leftovers will store for up to 3-4 days, once cooled to room temperature.

EASY KALE PESTO PASTA WITH CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a medium saute pan over medium heat, stir the walnuts until just lightly toasted, about two minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Pulse the garlic in a food processor until finely chopped, then add the kale, walnuts, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until chopped, turning it off periodically and removing the top to press the kale down toward the blade if necessary.
• With the food processor running on low, pour the olive oil in in a steady stream until it forms a sauce.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, per package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Drain the pasta, then let cool for a few minutes.
• Add the pasta to a large serving bowl along with 1/2 cup of the pesto, cherry tomatoes, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Toss until combined, adding a bit of the pasta cooking liquid if necessary which will help distribute the pesto throughout the pasta.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese atop the pasta and serve at room temperature.