Best 7 Kale Pasta Salad Recipes

KALE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil a large, salted pot of water for the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Once the pasta is done, rinse it under cool water and let it drain thoroughly.
• Meanwhile, prep your other ingredients and add them to a large salad bowl as you go along. The kale should be removed from the stems and chopped very finely. Add the dressing ingredients to a jar.
• Once the pasta is done, add it to the bowl. Shake the dressing thoroughly and toss the salad until coated. Season the pasta salad with salt & pepper as needed. You can eat it right away or chill it for an hour or so prior to eating.

KALE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, drain, rinse quickly with cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
• Tear kale into small pieces, removing the ribs. Place in a large mixing bowl (or serving bowl).
• Sprinkle with coarse Kosher salt and then using clean hands, massage it well, breaking down the fibers so it is tender. The better you massage it, the easier it is to eat so don't skip or rush this step.
• Add cooked pasta, olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, bottled minced garlic, feta and parmesan cheese to the kale, tossing to coat and combine.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1-4 hours (up to overnight) before serving. Toss again before serving to redistribute the dressing. Serve cold.
• If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings!

KILLER KALE PASTA

Steps:

• Place the bell peppers over the flame of a gas burner to char, turning, 3 to 4 minutes per side (or char the peppers under the broiler, turning, 5 minutes). Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow the peppers to steam about 10 minutes. Once cool to the touch, remove the peppers from the bowl and pull off the charred skin and stems and remove the seeds. Slice and set aside until ready to use.
• Set a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then the shallots and garlic; season with salt and pepper and cook until the garlic is fragrant and the shallots are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and wine and cook until most of the wine has evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and the roasted red peppers. Mix well and bring to a steady boil, then reduce the heat so the sauce simmers.
• Meanwhile, prepare the kale by removing and discarding the stems; tear the leaves into bite-size pieces. Fold the kale into the tomato sauce along with the chicken and toss to combine. Cover and cook until the kale has wilted, about 5 minutes. If the sauce seems dry, add the chicken stock 1/2 cup at a time. Continue cooking, covered, until the kale is tender, all the flavors have come together and the sauce is thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and add it directly to the Dutch oven with the finished sauce. Drizzle in some olive oil. Cook over low heat, tossing to coat everything, 2 to 3 minutes. (This allows the last cooking of the pasta to be done in the sauce.) Add a little of the reserved pasta water if needed. Serve the pasta in large bowls and top with spoonfuls of parmesan, more red pepper flakes and another drizzle of olive oil.

KALE-PASTA MASON JAR SALAD

Steps:

• For the pasta and pine nuts: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and add to a bowl. Set aside.
• Add the pine nuts to a small skillet over low heat. Toast slowly over the course of 3 to 4 minutes, tossing regularly. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• For the dressing: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic over low heat so that the garlic slowly infuses the oil, about a minute. When the garlic begins to sizzle, stir it around so it doesn't get too brown. When the garlic starts to turn golden, add the salt and pepper and stir; set aside for 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, pour the oil mixture (scraping out the salt, pepper and garlic) into a small mason jar. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, basil and parsley, put the lid on and shake it.
• For the kale: Finely slice 1 bunch of the kale. Set the same skillet (without cleaning it) over medium-high heat. Add the sliced kale and cook until partly wilted, about 5 minutes. Let cool, then add the Parmesan shavings and toss. Season with salt and pepper.
• Finely slice the remaining 1/2 bunch kale and set aside.
• For the assembly: Start by pouring 1/4 cup dressing into each quart-size mason jar, followed by 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 1/4 cups pasta, 1 tablespoon pine nuts, 1/2 cup cooked kale with Parmesan, 8 to 9 mozzarella balls and, finally, 1/2 cup sliced raw kale. Put the lids on the jars and refrigerate until ready to eat.

KALE PASTA SALAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Boil a pot of water and cook pasta according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, prepare all other salad ingredients and add to a large mixing bowl.
• Make vinaigrette by whisking together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl or shaking together in a small jar with a lid. Set aside.
• Once pasta has cooked, drain it and add to the salad. Pour dressing overtop and toss everything to combine well. Season with salt + pepper, as needed.
• Cover and refrigerate salad for at least 30-60 minutes, or overnight. This recipe is best enjoyed cold and letting the kale sit in the dressing will help to soften it!

KALE AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Massage kale with salt in a large mixing bowl for 2 minutes. Pour vinegar over the kale and toss to coat. Fold apple, feta cheese, currants, and pine nuts into the kale.

KALE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain pasta well.
• Combine pasta, kale, carrots, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, bell pepper, and shallot in a bowl. Stir together Greek dressing and mayo in a bowl and drizzle over salad. Mix until well combined.