Description
Kale pasta caesar salad delivers a modern twist on classic comfort, blending crisp greens with hearty pasta and zesty dressing. Creamy parmesan, crunchy croutons, and tender kale create a perfectly balanced meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie)
- 4 cups chopped kale (de-stemmed)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Cheese and Crunchy Toppings:
- 1/2 cup croutons
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water at high heat for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender, then immediately drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process. Allow pasta to cool completely.
- Transform kale leaves by gently massaging with olive oil for 2 minutes, which softens texture and reduces bitterness, creating a more palatable leafy base.
- Craft creamy Caesar dressing by vigorously whisking mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and seasonings until smooth and fully integrated.
- Gradually incorporate olive oil into dressing, stirring continuously to create a silky, emulsified consistency that clings beautifully to pasta and vegetables.
- Combine cooled pasta, massaged kale, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Generously coat salad with prepared Caesar dressing, gently tossing to ensure every ingredient is thoroughly dressed and flavor-saturated.
- Garnish with crisp croutons and additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese for textural contrast and enhanced flavor profile.
- Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to harmonize and develop deeper complexity, or serve immediately for a fresh, vibrant meal.
Notes
- Massage kale gently to break down tough fibers, making it more tender and easier to digest without losing its nutritional value.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes like fusilli or penne to add visual interest and help dressing cling better to the noodles.
- Use vegan alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew cream to replace Parmesan for a dairy-free version that maintains rich, creamy flavor.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store separately to keep salad crisp, preventing soggy texture and maintaining fresh taste until serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 435 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg