Description
This kale pesto salad is a hearty, comforting, one-bowl meal that is packed with healthy ingredients and delicious flavors. Plus, you can make the pesto and the salad ahead of time so it’s ready to dish up and eat even on busy days!
Ingredients
For Kale Pesto:
2 cups torn kale
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup olive oil
For Salad:
1 pound butternut squash 1/2-inch cubes
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
1/2 red onion, cut into 1/8-inch thick rings
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups torn kale
2 cups cooked long pasta, such as casarecce, penne, or rotini
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
Soft Boiled Eggs
Parmesan (to garnish)
Instructions
To make Kale Pesto:
Combine all ingredients in the container of a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
To make Salad:
Preheat oven to 425°.
Spread butternut squash, chickpeas, and onion rings onto a large rimmed baking sheet drizzled with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Roast at 425° for 20 minutes, stirring gently halfway through cook time, or until lightly browned and roasted. Remove and let cool.
Combine torn kale, pasta, pine nuts, butternut squash, chickpeas, and onion rings in a large bowl. Add Kale Pesto and gently toss to cover salad. Top with Soft Boiled Eggs and extra Parmesan.
Notes
Make the pesto the day before to save time. Heat it for 10 seconds in the microwave to loosen it up before stirring into the salad.
Look in your produce section for a package of already cubed butternut squash for a real time-saver.
To make the perfect soft-boiled egg: Bring water to a boil. Gently lower eggs into boiling water. Allow eggs to boil for exactly 6 1/2 minutes. Remove eggs from boiling water directly into a bowl of ice water. Let eggs sit in water for 10 minutes. Peel and enjoy.
*Store in fridge for up to a week. Flavors really marry and mellow after chilling in fridge for a day!
To make Pesto Vegan: Increase pine nuts to 1 cup. Add 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast. Omit Parmesan cheese.
To make salad Vegan: Use Vegan Pesto and omit egg and Parmesan on salad.