How was your weekend? We took a trip to the Ardennes and enjoyed a relaxing weekend with Jβs family in the woods near the villages of Durbuy and Barvaux. They are both two super adorable and quaint picturesque villages located in the French speaking part of Belgium. We went for a great hike, dined, drank wine and relaxed. It was just what I needed before returning to classes next week. Iβm anticipating lots of craziness for the last semester of my Masterβs!
And guess what?! It snowed! I know that many of you have been experiencing a super snowy, and blizzard-filled winter and youβre probably cursing the snow by now (which I totally did too when I lived in Ottawa by this time of year lol) but I was so happy to finally see the snow after the pretty mild winter weβve been having here (well mild by my Canadian standards of winter!). Itβs funny because when you’ve lived in a freezing climate like Ottawa for a few years by February (and donβt get me even started on March!) everybody is pretty much done with winter but you move the girl out of Ottawa, sheβs happy to see snow a pretty snowfall in February!
And what does snowy and cold weather call for? You guessed it! Comfort Food like this Creamy Kale Pasta. Every winter, I go on a kale bender where I just want to #eatallthekale. And thatβs pretty much what Iβve been doing. Kale has been sneaking itβs way into everything weβve been eating here in Cearaβs Kitchen and we may or may not have had this Creamy Kale Pasta more than once last week. #EatHappyLiveHappy
This Kale Pasta is pretty easy. Make some pasta, sautee some veggies and throw on the finishing touch – the cashew cream sauce –> because creamy kale is the BEST!
This Creamy Kale Pasta is everything you want out of a cozy, winter meal – itβs comforting, packed with nutritious greens, super satisfying and comes together using only 2 pots! Itβs one of those meals thatβs quickly become a βregularβ in our house. I hope you enjoy this Creamy Kale Pasta as much as we do! Wishing you a great start to your week!
If you do try this Creamy Kale Pasta, IΒ love hearing about it!Β InstaΒ or TweetΒ it to me (@cearaskitchen with hashtag #cearaskitchen) or Facebook it to me via the Cearaβs Kitchen Facebook Page!
- 500 gr/ 17.6 oz pasta of choice
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- 4 tbsp olive oil or ¼ cup water
- 4 - 6 cloves garlic, diced
- 2 small or 1 large red onion, diced
- 1 heaping tsp basil
- 1 heaping tsp herbes de provence
- 5 cups kale, hard stems removed and chopped up into big pieces
- ¾ cup reserved pasta water
- Juice from one lemon
- Salt, Pepper + Cayenne Pepepr to taste
- ⅓ cup cashews
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
- Juice from ½ lemon
- 3-5 tbsp water (depending on desired consistency of sauce)
- Boil the pasta according to directions on box. Soak Cashews in boiling water while the pasta is cooking.
- While the pasta is boiling, in a large pan, over medium high heat, sautee chopped walnuts in 1 tbsp olive oil until they begin to slightly brown and roast. Keep stirring to ensure the walnuts do not burn. (*Dry sautee in pan without oil for an oil-free method). Remove walnuts from the pan and save them for later.
- In the same large pan heat up 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat. Add diced garlic and onions and sautee with basil and herbes de provence until they begin to caramelize and turn slightly brown. (*Use water instead of olive oil for an oil free method). Add kale and sautee with onions and garlic for a couple minutes before adding the pasta.
- Drain pasta, reserving ΒΎ cup of the pasta water for later. Add the pasta with the reserved pasta water, lemon juice and 2 tbsp of olive oil to the large pan (you might have to transfer to a pot at this point if your pan isnβt big enough). (*Leave out olive oil for an oil free option).
- Drain and rinse the cashews. Blend for a couple minutes with the nutritional yeast, lemon juice and water until creamy and smooth. (*I used an immersion blender)
- Serve immediately and garnish pasta with cashew cream and roasted walnuts. Taste and add Sea Salt, Pepper and Cayenne Pepper to taste.
*See directions for an oil-free variation
*For a nut-free option leave out walnuts and cashew cream.
*For a gluten-free option use gluten-free pasta.
*Double the cashew cream if you want a more "saucy" pasta
*Tastes best when eaten immediately.
46 comments
I saw this in your V-Day roundupβ¦and I know I have to try this! Creamy + Kale + Pasta = my world! Sending you lots of hugs and warmth!
Thanks so much, Rika! Hope you enjoyed a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Sending you lots of love too!
Oh my, I really need to try this yumminess! Sounds like the perfect weekend π I have a love/hate relationship with snow. I love when it first snows and then it gets old real fast! The first snow is always the prettiest though.
Love your #eatallthekale hashtag. This recipe is pinned!
This looks amazing! Why have I never thought to put kale in pasta?! Will have to give it a try.
Thanks, Jessica π Let me know if you give it a try!
I’m pretty sure I could eat all of this. It looks amazing! Cashew cream and pasta were just meant to be together I think π
I hear you, Shannon! Cashew Cream + Pasta = love! π
If you’re sick of winter you should come visit me in CA! I went hiking today haha. Anyways, Ceara, this looks so perfect. I’m going to try this with one minor change for the hubby. Pureeing the kale in the pasta sauce so he’ll eat his veggies. Can’t wait to try it! YUM.
I would love to come and visit in CA! A place Iβve always wanted to travel to β I hear itβs the coolest!! Let me know how the pasta turns out β Iβd double the cashew cream if you are pureeing the kale in their too! Sounds like an awesome combination!
yum yum YUMMMM!!! i totally pinned this is looks so yummy! I am trying this for sure π
Thanks for the kind words and pin girl!
looks so comforting Ceara…perfect for the weather! π love it!
Thanks so much, Manali!! π
Thanks, Manali!
I know what you mean about snow – I grew up in Wyoming where we always got a ton of snow in the winter. I would get so sick of it! The last 10 years I’ve lived places that don’t get much snow and now I miss it – I’m sure if I moved back I’d get over it pretty quick π Love this pasta dish – nothing better than a big plate of creamy pasta on a cold night!
π I couldn’t agree more! Nothing beats creamy pasta on a chilly evening!!
That sounds like the perfect weekend!! And I am jealous of the snow too! We got a little on New Year’s Day, but I don’t think we will be getting more anytime soon! And this pasta looks amazing! I was just thinking about how hungry I am and now my stomach is growling!
Thanks so much, Izzy!! I’d be happy to send some over if I could! π This dish has become a regular around here!
Yum! What a great way to eat kale π This looks amazing.
Thanks so much, Medha!
I found myself nodding my noggin all the way thurgoh.
Yep…I’m in Calgary and I’m SO DONE with winter π Glad you got some snow, though, it just isn’t winter without snow! This looks like a delicious and healthy meal. I’m loving all things kale right now and this looks like the perfect dinner!
I hear you! Calgary is freeezing during this time of year! I remember being totally done with the winter by this time as well when I lived in Ottawa! π Keep warm! Spring is coming soon…ish! π
Is there a substitute for the yeast?
Hi Leah! You can just leave the nutritional yeast out π If you aren’t vegan or dairy-free you can also substitute it with some Parmesan cheese!
YUM! I love nontraditional cream sauces since the ones made with well, cream, are so heavy. This past looks incredible!
Thanks so much, Liv!!
Thanks so much, Liv! I hear ya – this definitively doesn’t leave the same “heavy” feeling that traditional cream sauces do π
Your weekend sounded perfect, Ceara! We just got hit with a big snowstorm so comfort food is exactly what I need right now π This creamy kale pasta looks amazing! I love the cashew cream and cayenne pepper in here! Sounds like the perfect dish!
Thanks so much, Kelly!! Keep warm in the snow storm!!
I’m always looking for a new good kale recipe and this looks delicious!
Thanks so much, Tina!! π
Eat happy live happy!! LOVE IT! …and this recipe looks amazing! So creamy and delicious! YUM π
Thanks so much girl! π
Your weekend sounded wonderful Ceara! You can’t go wrong with cashew cream, pasta, and kale. Delicious! Haha! I know exactly what you mean about the month of March when you live in a northern climate. My husband always laughs and says “it must be March,” because I always talk about moving South then. It’s just so close, but yet so far to spring and warmer weather.
Haha, I hear you! By March, I understand why so many people get up and go south for the winter!! π
Looks beautiful and delicious! Love this pasta and can’t wait to try it! Need to go to the store and get kale, but we got a ton of snow last night, so I’ll wait for a few hours π
Thanks so much, Mira! Keep warm with all the snow!! π
Looks so delicious Ceara! I love kale but have never had it with pasta in this way before, love it. I do make a garlic kale pesto that I serve with pasta though that is delicious, but I love the idea of making it as a veggie mixed with creamy pasta! Yum yum! Love the colors too! Xx
Thanks so much, Brandi!! Your garlic kale pesto sounds absolutely delicious π
Sounds like an amazing weekend.
This is my kind of pasta dish. I love adding kale to dishes to bulk them out and also give them a bit of a healthier boost.
I have shared this on Twitter!
Thanks for the kind words and tweet, Dannii!
Happy Monday Ceara! Sounds like a wonderful weekend, a wonderful hiking trip. Maybe I can just live vicariously through you for a few days?! Yes, snow has been abundant here, I wasn’t sure my husband was going to be able to make it to work, but he did. Like Gayle, I think your kale pasta looks wonderful. But I have never tried cashew cream and think it’s time to change that. Have a spectacular week! I love kale for how nutritious it is and sure you love it for that reason too.
I am sure you would love cashew cream, Laura! It’s become such a regular staple around here because it honestly seems to take every savory dish to the next level π I’m happy to hear you love Kale as well!! I dare to say I crave it as much as I crave chocolate this time of year! π Hope you are keeping warm in all the snow!
Sounds like you had a great weekend, Ceara! I would love to visit Belgium someday to see their culture. And my area is getting dumped on with snow, so I can’t wait for spring to come! π This kale pasta looks incredible! I love the cashew cream in here, sounds so flavorful! This definitely looks like a perfect comfort food dish. Pinned! Hope you have a wonderful Monday, friend!
Thanks so much for the kind words and pin, Gayle!! You have to come and visit Belgium one day – it’s absolutely gorgeous here!! Keep warm in all the snow!! π Happy Monday too!