Kale Walnut Pesto Pasta - beautifully plated pasta dish

Pâtes au Pesto de Chou Frisé et Noix

Hearty kale and walnuts make a robust, earthy pesto that's perfect for fall and winter pasta dinners.

Préparation

10 min

Cuisson

10 min

Portions

4

Calories

390

Ingrédients

  • 400 g pasta (your choice of shape)
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 0.33 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook the Pasta

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

  2. 2

    Prepare the Base

    While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  3. 3

    Build the Sauce

    Add the main sauce ingredients to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavours meld together, about 3-5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Combine

    Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss vigorously, adding pasta water as needed to achieve a silky consistency that coats every strand.

  5. 5

    Serve

    Plate immediately and garnish with fresh herbs and freshly grated cheese. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.

Notes du chef

I never cook pesto — I toss it with hot pasta off the heat. Cooking turns basil brown and bitter.

Chef Luca Bianchi

Valeurs nutritives

390

cal

22g

Protéines

13g

Lipides

61g

Glucides

2g

Fibres

456mg

Sodium

Trucs et astuces

  • Always salt your pasta water generously — it should taste like the sea.
  • Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining. It's liquid gold for emulsifying sauces.
  • Cook pasta 1 minute less than the package says if finishing it in the sauce.

Avis (3)

Michael W.★★★★★

This recipe is a keeper. Great balance of flavours and the cooking times are spot on. My new favourite pasta dish.

Sarah M.★★★★★

So glad I found this recipe. The instructions are clear and the result is consistently great. I've made it four times already.

David C.★★★★★

Restaurant quality at home. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out amazing. The pasta water trick really makes the sauce come together.