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Wholewheat Pasta With Kale, Pea And Walnut Pesto

A delightful pasta dish made with wholewheat pasta, kale, peas, and walnut pesto, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 300 g wholewheat pasta Use preferred brand
  • 100 g kale, chopped Fresh or pre-washed
  • 150 g fresh or frozen peas Add fresh peas during the last cooking minutes
Pesto Ingredients
  • 50 g walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated Optional
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Olive oil for drizzling To help blend components
Seasoning and Extras
  • 0.5 unit lemon, juice of half For added freshness
  • Salt and pepper To taste

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, add the pasta, and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente.
Preparing Kale
  1. In a frying pan, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped kale and cook until wilted (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
Combining Ingredients
  1. If using fresh peas, add them to the pasta during the last 2 minutes of cooking. If using frozen peas, add them later in the blender.
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and return it to the pot.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine wilted kale, cooked peas, chopped walnuts, minced garlic, and Parmesan cheese (if using). Add a drizzle of olive oil.
  4. Blend until smooth. If too thick, add olive oil or a splash of water.
  5. Pour the pesto over the cooked pasta. Toss until well coated.
  6. Squeeze half a lemon over the pasta and season with salt and pepper.
Serving
  1. Serve warm in a bowl or dish, optionally topping with extra walnuts or Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Add water when reheating to loosen sauce.