Kale Pasta Caesar Salad
A comforting and nutritious salad combining warm pasta, soft kale, creamy Caesar dressing, and crunchy croutons, perfect for weeknight dinners and potlucks.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups kale, chopped (stems removed if tough)
- 8 oz pasta of choice (penne, fusilli, or farfalle work well)
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup croutons
- to taste Salt and pepper
- for finishing Lemon juice
Instructions
Cooking
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and return to the warm pot off the heat.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the kale into bite-sized pieces and remove any thick stems.
- Put the warm pasta into a large mixing bowl and add the chopped kale. The residual heat will slightly wilt the kale for a better texture.
- Pour in the Caesar dressing and toss thoroughly so each strand and leaf is coated. Start with 1/2 cup, then add more if you like it saucier.
- Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan and season with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Toss again.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and top with croutons for crunch. Right before serving, drizzle with a little fresh lemon juice to lift the flavors.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
For extra crunch and flavor, toss in toasted pine nuts or chopped roasted chickpeas instead of croutons. You can also substitute kale with baby spinach or arugula if you prefer a milder green. This salad pairs nicely with grilled chicken or lemony salmon.