Indulge in a comforting bowl of creamy spaghetti tossed with vibrant kale and juicy tomatoes, blending rich flavors and fresh ingredients for a wholesome, satisfying meal.
Inspiration For This Recipe
My garden is my inspiration for this recipe since I grow kale and tomatoes most of the year where I live. Kale and tomatoes are a match made in heaven and when added to a garlicky cream and tossed in pasta, it is so good.
If you are a gardener too, you know that they have to come up with recipes all the time to make use of what comes out of the garden and this recipe is one of my favorite creations doing that.
This entire recipe will only take you 30 minutes from start to finish. The bulk of the cooking is waiting on your pasta water.
This simple creamy pasta has made so many of my busy evenings so much easier thanks to how quickly it cooks. I think it will be helpful for your dinner rotation too!
Ingredients And Substitutions
(full list and quantities below)
- Kale. I prefer using Lacinato kale (also called dino kale) because it is smoother in texture and I think a little easier to cook down. You can use any kale you have on hand or even baby spinach.
- Fresh tomatoes. I use large tomatoes for this recipe because they have more juice to release into the sauce. You only need a couple. If you have small cherry tomatoes that will work too, just give them a little mash when cooking to release their juices.
- Heavy cream.
- Fresh garlic. Fresh garlic is best for this recipe.
- Pasta. I prefer spaghetti but you can also use bowtie pasta, penne or rigatoni.
- Olive Oil.
- Kosher salt.
- Sweet paprika. Sweet paprika will add a little color to the cream sauce and a little sweet flavor.
How To Make Pasta With Kale And Tomatoes
This is my favorite part, how easy it is to make. Just simmer down the tomatoes, garlic and kale until the kale is tender. The tomatoes break down and help cook the kale beautifully.
While this is happening, start cooking the spaghetti (or whatever pasta you are using) in a large pot. Right before you drain the spaghetti, add the cream and seasonings to the kale and tomatoes and let it simmer gently for a minute or two.
Drain the pasta, add it to the pan with the creamy sauce, and toss for a minute then enjoy.
Tips And Variations
- Reserve about a cup of pasta water: You can add this pasta water to your pasta after tossing it in the cream sauce if you think the sauce is too thick.
- Re-heating creamy kale pasta: To reheat this kale pasta, scoop out a serving into a bowl and place a moist paper towel over the top of the pasta. Place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes then toss well.
- Make it healthier: If you want a healthier version of this pasta, just omit the cream and use pasta water to make the sauce.
Creamy Spaghetti With Kale And Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta Spaghetti, rigatoni or penne
- 2 bunches of Lacinato kale center stems removed then cut into large pieces
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 large tomatoes sliced into quarters then quarters sliced in half
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.
- While you are waiting for the water to boil, pre-heat a large saute pan over medium heat.
- Add the olive oil and kale and cook for about 5 minute until the kale starts to soften.1 tbsp olive oil, 2 bunches of Lacinato kale
- Now add the tomatoes and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes or until the tomatoes begin to soften.2 large tomatoes, 4 cloves garlic
- Now add the kosher salt and paprika and mix well.1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp sweet paprika
- Reduce heat to low and add the heavy cream.1 ½ cups heavy cream
- Mix well.
- Cover the kale and cream and turn the heat off.
- Once the pasta water is boiling, cook until al dente according to the manufacturers instructions.1 lb pasta
- Drain pasta when ready, making sure to reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Add drained pasta to the creamy kale and tomatoes and toss well for 2 minutes.
- If the sauce looks too thick, add a little pasta water.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Emma says
This was so easy and so amazing. I have made it 3 times now and can't wait to make it again!
Sarah says
We really enjoyed this recipe. We used curly kale and cooked it a little longer to and it was delicious