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White bowl of Cavatappi Pasta with Kale Pesto

Cavatappi Pasta with Kale Pesto

pecorino cheese, currants, pine nuts, lemon

STARS

The pesto in this dish is made with blanched lacinato kale (the blanching removes that bitter edge kale can have), pecorino cheese, pine nuts, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, and lemon juice. We toss it with cavatappi pasta, a ridged corkscrew shape that picks up and holds a lot of sauce (and thus flavor). We throw in a few currants for a sweet touch.
difficultyDifficulty Level
EasyEasyEasy
difficulty
Total Time:  50 minutes
Active Time:  40 minutes
Ingredients

For the Cavatappi Pasta:

  • 1 cup cavatappi pasta
  • Water for boiling
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon canola oil

For the Salt & Pepper Mix:

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • A pinch of black pepper

For the Basil - Kale Pesto:

  • 1/4 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • A pinch of chili flakes
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of water
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon of Salt & Pepper Mix (from above)
  • 1 tablespoon pine nuts
  • 3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons chopped kale
  • 2 teaspoons of picked basil

For the Steamed Chopped Kale:

  • 2/3 cup chopped kale

To Serve:

  • 1/3 cup shredded Pecorino cheese
  • 1/3 cup dried currants

 

    Directions
    1
    Boil water in a pot. Add the salt and canola oil.
    2
    Cook pasta for 7-8 minutes, then strain.
    3
    Spread out in a sheet pan and chill.
    4
    Combine the salt and black pepper and mix well. Set aside.
    5
    In a bowl, combine all the ingredients except for water, olive oil, and salt & pepper mix.
    6
    Slowly add water and olive oil while mixing with a blender or food processor.
    7
    Add salt and pepper mix and check seasoning. Set aside.
    8
    Place the chopped kale on a sheet pan and steam for 5 minutes.
    9
    Let it cool.
    10
    In a large bowl, combine the cooked cavatappi pasta, prepared pesto, and steamed kale. Mix gently by hand.
    11
    Serve each plate of pasta topped with shredded Pecorino and dried currants. Enjoy your Kale Pesto Cavatappi Pasta!

    Cavatappi Pasta with Kale Pesto

    pecorino cheese, currants, pine nuts, lemon

    STARS

    The pesto in this dish is made with blanched lacinato kale (the blanching removes that bitter edge kale can have), pecorino cheese, pine nuts, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, and lemon juice. We toss it with cavatappi pasta, a ridged corkscrew shape that picks up and holds a lot of sauce (and thus flavor). We throw in a few currants for a sweet touch.
    difficultyDifficulty Level
    EasyEasyEasy
    difficulty
    Total Time:  50 minutes
    Active Time:  40 minutes
    Servings:  4

    Ingredients

    For the Cavatappi Pasta:

    • 1 cup cavatappi pasta
    • Water for boiling
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon canola oil

    For the Salt & Pepper Mix:

    • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • A pinch of black pepper

    For the Basil - Kale Pesto:

    • 1/4 teaspoon chopped garlic
    • A pinch of chili flakes
    • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of water
    • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/4 teaspoon of Salt & Pepper Mix (from above)
    • 1 tablespoon pine nuts
    • 3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese
    • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 2 tablespoons chopped kale
    • 2 teaspoons of picked basil

    For the Steamed Chopped Kale:

    • 2/3 cup chopped kale

    To Serve:

    • 1/3 cup shredded Pecorino cheese
    • 1/3 cup dried currants

     

      Directions

      1
      Boil water in a pot. Add the salt and canola oil.
      2
      Cook pasta for 7-8 minutes, then strain.
      3
      Spread out in a sheet pan and chill.
      4
      Combine the salt and black pepper and mix well. Set aside.
      5
      In a bowl, combine all the ingredients except for water, olive oil, and salt & pepper mix.
      6
      Slowly add water and olive oil while mixing with a blender or food processor.
      7
      Add salt and pepper mix and check seasoning. Set aside.
      8
      Place the chopped kale on a sheet pan and steam for 5 minutes.
      9
      Let it cool.
      10
      In a large bowl, combine the cooked cavatappi pasta, prepared pesto, and steamed kale. Mix gently by hand.
      11
      Serve each plate of pasta topped with shredded Pecorino and dried currants. Enjoy your Kale Pesto Cavatappi Pasta!