Best Kale Pesto Recipes

EASY KALE PESTO

Steps:

• Pour olive oil into the bowl of a food processor and add garlic; pulse until garlic is chopped, about 10 seconds. Add kale to olive oil mixture, working in batches if needed; pulse until evenly blended, about 20 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl.
• Stir pine nuts and Parmesan cheese into kale mixture and pulse until pesto is smooth; season with salt.

CREAMY PESTO & KALE PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Fry the onions for 10 mins until softened and beginning to caramelise. Add the kale and 100ml water, then cover and cook for 5 mins more, or until the kale has wilted.
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain, reserving a little of the cooking water. Toss the pasta with the onion mixture, cream cheese and pesto, adding a splash of the reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed. Season.

PAN-SEARED VEAL CHOP WITH ROASTED KALE PESTO AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PARSNIP PUREE

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add butternut squash, parsnip, and onion; cook and stir until starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in 2 cloves garlic; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Pour water into the saucepan. Add coriander, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, cayenne powder, and Chinese five-spice powder. Simmer until butternut squash is very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat; drain excess liquid. Let cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir butter into butternut squash mixture. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Toss kale, walnuts, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper together on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Broil in the preheated oven until kale starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Combine kale mixture, 1/2 cup light olive oil, lemon juice, 3 cloves garlic, agave nectar, and red pepper flakes in a food processor; blend into a chunky paste.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, rosemary, and thyme in a large oven-proof skillet; heat over medium-high heat until lightly smoking. Season veal chops with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook in the hot oil until browned, about 2 minutes per side.
• Transfer skillet to the preheated oven; roast chops until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 140 degrees F (60 degrees C), about 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest for 10 minutes.
• Divide butternut squash puree between 2 large serving plates. Place 1 chop on each place; top with a heaping tablespoon of kale pesto.

KALE PESTO

Steps:

• Put the pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, oils, kale and lemon juice in a food processor and whizz to a paste. Season to taste. Stir through hot pasta to serve, topping with extra Parmesan and olive oil, if you like.
• To store, put in a container or jar, cover the surface with a little more olive oil and keep in the fridge for a week, or freeze for up to a month.

VEGAN SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH KALE PESTO

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add celery and onion; cook and stir until the vegetables soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Mix in broth, turmeric, ginger, cayenne, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Pour carefully into a high-speed blender, cover with a lid, and puree on high speed for 1 minute. Add mashed sweet potato and coconut milk; puree until soup has a creamy consistency, about 4 minutes. Add more broth or water if soup is too thick. Cover and keep warm.
• Combine kale, walnuts, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Process or blend at high speed into a paste, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed, about 3 minutes. Pour in olive oil, one tablespoon at a time, blending after each addition. Add more oil or lemon juice if pesto seems too thick.
• Ladle the warm soup into bowls and spoon some pesto on top of each serving.

KALE PESTO AND WHITE BEAN DIP

Steps:

• Put the pine nuts in to a small skillet and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the nuts are toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely. Reserve 1 teaspoon of the nuts for garnish and place the rest in a food processor. Add the kale, basil and garlic to the food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast and salt and blend until well combined. Add the cannellini beans and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Transfer the dip to a small serving bowl and garnish with the basil sprig and toasted pine nuts. Serve with baguette and vegetables.

KALE AND PISTACHIO PESTO SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Add the kale to the boiling water and cook, stirring, until just wilted but still bright green, about 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the kale to the ice water (keep the water boiling). When cool, drain well and squeeze out as much water as possible. Coarsely chop the kale.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and then drain the pasta.
• While the pasta cooks, pulse the pistachios and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the kale and parsley and pulse until very finely chopped. With the machine running, add the oil in a steady stream. Add the Parmesan, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and pulse to incorporate.
• Toss the pasta with the pesto, adding a few spoonfuls of the reserved cooking water if it seems dry. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

KALE PESTO WITH WALNUT AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet until lightly browned; let cool. Pulse in a food processor until finely ground.
• Add the kale and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until finely chopped.
• Add the parmesan and pulse to combine.
• Slowly pour in the olive oil, pulsing to incorporate. Transfer the pesto to a bowl. You'll have about 1 cup pesto; use about 1/2 cup for 1 pound pasta.

WHITE BEAN & KALE PESTO DIP

Steps:

• Pulse the garlic in a food processor until finely chopped, then add the kale, walnuts, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until chopped, turning off periodically and removing the top to press the kale down toward the blade if necessary.
• With the food processor running on low, pour the olive oil in in a steady stream until it forms a sauce. Add the lemon juice and pulse a couple more times.
• Scrape down the sides and add the beans, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Puree, adding more oil if necessary to obtain a smooth consistency. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
• Transfer to a bowl and top with additional almonds and a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve with pitas, crackers, and/or veggies.

KALE PESTO WITH WHOLE WHEAT PASTA

Steps:

• Cook kale leaves in a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green and wilted, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet with tongs; keep water boiling. Let kale cool slightly; wring out excess water with your hands.
• Cook pasta in pot of boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
• Blend nuts, oil, garlic, and ⅓ cup water in a blender or food processor until very smooth. Add kale and 1 oz. Parmesan. Purée, adding water 1 Tbsp. at a time as needed, until smooth. Transfer pesto to a large bowl.
• Using tongs, transfer pasta to bowl with pesto; add butter and ⅓ cup pasta cooking liquid. Toss, adding more pasta cooking liquid by the tablespoonful if needed, until sauce coats pasta. Divide among bowls; top with more Parmesan and a few grinds of pepper.

PAN-ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH KALE PESTO AND FETA

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Heat oven to 350 degrees, and bring a medium pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
• Spread almonds in a single layer on a small, rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove and let cool, then transfer to a blender.
• When water comes to a boil, add kale leaves and blanch until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain well and transfer to blender with almonds.
• To the blender, add parsley, pecorino, 1/4 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed to allow the mixture to move. With blender running, drizzle in oil until mixture is emulsified and smooth. Taste and add more salt and lemon juice, if desired.
• Prepare the cauliflower: Add 2 tablespoons oil to a large, cold skillet. Arrange cauliflower in an even layer in skillet and sprinkle with salt to taste. Place skillet over medium-high heat and cook, without moving, until cauliflower is seared and dark brown on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip cauliflower over and briefly cook on the other side until just tender but not mushy, 2 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle with a generous drizzle of olive oil, lemon zest, colatura and merkén.
• To serve, spoon pesto onto a large serving platter. Top with hot cauliflower, feta, sumac, mint and tarragon. Sprinkle with more lemon zest and oil, if desired.

COLLARD GREENS AND KALE PESTO

Steps:

• Cook collard greens and kale in a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green and tender, about 45 seconds. Transfer to a bowl of ice water (this will stop the cooking and help lock in the color). Drain; squeeze out as much liquid as possible (to avoid a watery sauce).
• Coarsely chop greens and place in a food processor. Add garlic, Parmesan, oil, peanuts, lemon zest, and lemon juice; process on low speed until a coarse but well-blended mixture forms (a little texture is part of the selling point). Season with salt and plenty of pepper.
• Do Ahead
• Pesto can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly against surface, and chill.

KALE PESTO & CHICKEN GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to the boil and set aside a bowl of ice-cold water. Put the kale and spinach in the boiling water and cook for 2-3 mins until softened. Remove with a slotted spoon and lower into the cold water. Drain, then squeeze out the excess water.
• Tip the greens into a food processor with the garlic, lemon juice and zest, basil, pine nuts, parmesan and olive oil, then blitz until smooth. Season lightly.
• Tip the pesto into a saucepan with the chicken, peas, crème fraîche and stock, and bring to the boil. Tip in the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 mins until cooked through. Scatter over the extra basil leaves and grate over some parmesan to serve.

ZUCCHINI PASTA WITH PEAS AND A KALE PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil. Add kale and cook uncovered until bright green, about 3 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain on paper towels.
• Place kale, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and chopped garlic in a food processor. Pulse about 5 times; slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup olive oil. Season with salt.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the minced garlic and red pepper flakes until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the zucchini and toss until just tender, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from heat and add peas and the kale pesto; toss to combine.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH KALE PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Halve and seed the spaghetti squash; roast, then scrape into strands (see Cook's Note).
• Meanwhile, toast the hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
• Pulse the kale, parsley, garlic, raisins and 2 tablespoons of the toasted nuts in a blender or food processor until combined. Add 1/4 cup olive oil; blend until smooth. Add 1/3 cup water, the parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Pulse until the pesto comes together, adding up to 3 more tablespoons water to loosen, if necessary; season with more salt and pepper.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spaghetti squash and cook, stirring, until coated. Add 3/4 cup of the kale pesto. Stir to coat, adding up to 1/2 cup water to loosen; season with salt and pepper. Top the squash with the remaining toasted nuts and more parmesan.

KALE PESTO WITH TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the kale leaves, basil leaves, and salt. Pulse 10 to 12 times, until the kale leaves are finely chopped. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil. Scrape down the sides of the processor. Add the walnuts and garlic and process again, then add the cheese and pulse to combine. Toss with your favorite pasta and serve immediately.

CHERRY TOMATO, KALE, RICOTTA & PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add the garlic and cook for 2 mins until golden. Add the chilli flakes and tomatoes, season well, and simmer for 15 mins until the sauce is thick and reduced.
• While the sauce is cooking, cook the pasta following pack instructions - add the kale for the final 2 mins of cooking. Drain well and stir into the sauce, then divide between 4 bowls. Top each with a dollop of ricotta, a drizzle of pesto and shavings of Parmesan, if you like.

WHOLE WHEAT FUSILLI WITH KALE AND WALNUT PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1 cup pasta water.
• Roughly chop some of the walnuts and set aside. Pulse the remaining walnuts and garlic together in a food processor, then add the arugula, kale, basil, cheese, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper and pulse to puree. With the motor running, slowly add the oil and process until smooth. The pesto can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Add the pesto to a large bowl. Add the hot pasta and toss to coat, adding a splash of pasta water to thin, if necessary. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with more cheese, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts.

OVEN RISOTTO WITH KALE PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large ovenproof saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, 5-8 minutes. Stir in rice; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until some grains are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add wine, bring to a simmer, and cook until pan is almost dry, about 3 minutes. Add 2 cups very hot water; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and bake in oven until liquid is mostly absorbed but rice is still starchy in the center, 15-18 minutes (it should be undercooked).
• Meanwhile, pulse garlic and half of toasted walnuts in a food processor until very finely ground. Add parsley, chives, half of kale, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and 1/4 cup cold water; process until smooth; season pesto with salt and pepper.
• Set saucepan over medium heat. Add 3/4 cup very hot water and cook rice, stirring constantly, until it is tender but still has some bite and sauce is creamy, about 3 minutes. Stir in pesto, butter, three-quarters of Parmesan, and remaining kale. Adjust consistency with water, if needed; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with remaining walnuts and cheese.

RICOTTA-PESTO PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND KALE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, for about 9 minutes (pasta will not be fully cooked.) Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Set aside.
• While pasta is cooking, place sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove sausage to a paper towel-lined plate and leave grease in the pan.
• Add oil to the skillet and saute for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minutes. Add kale, nutmeg, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Deglaze the pan with white wine and cook until kale is soft, 5 to 10 more minutes.
• Return sausage back to the pan. Add ricotta, pesto, and 6 ounces mozzarella cheese. Add reserved pasta and cooking water. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Pour into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle remaining mozzarella over top. Cover with foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.