Lemony Pasta with Kale and Parmesan

The simple addition of kale, lemon, and parmesan make an ordinary pasta into something bright and special!

I know, I know, another pasta salad. But I couldn’t resist. Who doesn’t love a good, simple summer pasta? A few simple tweaks here take your average pasta night to the next level! There are a couple things that make this Lemony Pasta with Kale and Parmesan such a summertime win:

• Lemon! Adding lemon to kale (and really adding it to anything) brightens it up and gives that healthy green such a pop of flavor that’s just right for summertime.
• Fennel! Every time I cook with fennel people ask if they HAVE to use it. Of course you can leave it out, but cooking it changes the flavor so it goes from a licorice taste to nice and sweet.
• It’s not a true pasta night without parmesan! Can I get an Amen?
• The lightest sauce. You’ll actually just save a cup of pasta water to add back in for moisture! This keeps things light without losing any flavor.

What’s the best way to serve Lemony Pasta with Kale & Parmesan?

There’s really no wrong answer here! This is a great summertime dish that pairs well with a bigger meal or even stands alone as a main dish. Truth: I love it both ways!

• Bring it to a picnic
• Hot, cold or room temp
• Serve it with BBQ
• As a casual summer dinner with a glass of wine
• For a potluck dinner with friends

What are the benefits of cooking with kale?

You probably know that kale is a mega superfood. I love sneaking it into a recipe whenever I can because I want those health benefits for me and my family. Although let’s be honest, my girls usually turn their noses up to it. It’s ok, I’ll never stop trying. 

• High in fiber, so it’s good for digestion
• Has vitamins A, K, and C
• Surprisingly high in protein
• Contains iron and calcium

What else can I make with kale?

So many good dishes! Sometimes kale gets a bad rap, but when prepared well, it’s so, so good. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Chopped Kale Salad with Pecans, Cranberries, & Herb Dressing
2. Kale and Peach Smoothie
3. Zucchini Sweet Potato Kale Frittata
4. Blender Green Juice
5. Mushroom & Kale Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Bowls
6. BBQ Chicken Kale Salad

Making Lemony Pasta with Kale & Parmesan couldn’t be easier

I find that these ingredients I typically have on hand.  It’s also a great end-of-the-week recipe since the ingredients will last for a several days after your Monday grocery run! You can even use any shape of pasta your family prefers. Long, short, mix it up, use whatever you’ve got in your pantry.

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Lemony Pasta with Kale and Parmesan

The simple addition of kale, lemon, and parmesan make an ordinary pasta into something bright and special!

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound spaghetti, or any pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced
• 1 bunch Lacinato kale, stems removed and chopped
• salt
• pepper
• juice from 2 lemons
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile heat a large pan over medium/high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the sliced fennel and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft and cooked down.
• Once water has come to a boil add 3 teaspoons salt to the water then add the pasta and cook according to package.
• Add the chopped kale to the fennel with another 1/4 teaspoon salt and some freshly cracked pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until kale has wilted down. Turn off heat and set aside until pasta is done cooking.
• When pasta is done cooking, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and add the cooked pasta to the kale mixture.
• Squeeze the fresh lemon juice and sprinkle parmesan on pasta and toss to combine with the kale mixture. Add a little bit of the reserved pasta water as needed to help loosen up the sauce. Serve with extra parmesan if needed.

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