Whole Grain Spaghetti With Kale and Tomatoes

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This healthy whole grain pasta recipe is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies.

Whole-Grain Spaghetti With Garlicky Kale and Tomatoes
Photo: Hans Gissinger
Hands On Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4

Get ready for a pasta dinner that's both mom- and kid-approved. Sautéed kale leaves and halved grape tomatoes offer a flavorful, chunky sauce, while chopped roasted almonds add a salty crunch.

Kale is a healthy addition to this dish, but it cooks down quickly. So if the whole bunch doesn't fit in your pan initially, don't worry; throw a few more handfuls in after 30 seconds or so to get the most out of this recipe.

Also, we recommend using whole grain spaghetti noodles instead of plain white because whole grains net a higher amount of fiber, protein, minerals, and vitamins. Dive in knowing that the pasta everybody's twirling around their forks doesn't just taste great—it's pretty healthy, to boot.

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces whole-grain spaghetti

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped

  • kosher salt and black pepper

  • 1 bunch kale, thick stems removed and leaves torn into bite-size pieces (about 8 cups)

  • 2 pints grape tomatoes, halved

  • cup chopped roasted almonds

  • ¼ cup grated pecorino (1 ounce), plus more for serving

Directions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooking water; drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

  2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 4 to 5 minutes.

  3. Add the kale and cook, tossing frequently, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, tossing frequently, until the tomatoes begin to soften, 1 to 2 minutes more.

  4. Add the kale mixture, almonds, pecorino, and reserved cooking water to the pasta and toss to combine. Serve with additional pecorino.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

413 Calories
16g Fat
56g Carbs
17g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 413
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16g 21%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 313mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 56g 20%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 17g 34%
Calcium 335mg 26%
Iron 5mg 28%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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