Garlicky Kale Pasta (Shrek Pasta)
With its vibrant green color, this Garlicky Kale Pasta, also known as “Shrek Pasta,” is a flavorful and healthy dish made with a silky smooth sauce of fresh lacinato kale, fresh herbs, olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, and parmesan cheese. Creamy, comforting, and packed with savory flavor, this easy pasta recipe transforms simple ingredients into a surprisingly delicious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
To learn how to make this delicious Garlicky Kale Pasta recipe, see the printable recipe card below or take a look at the recipe video. For other recipe variations (including gluten free) and to learn about the health benefits of this kale pasta recipe, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips below.
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RECIPE
(Printable recipe card below.)
GARLICKY KALE PASTA (AKA: Shrek Pasta)
With its vibrant green color, this Garlicky Kale Pasta, also known as “Shrek Pasta,” is a flavorful and healthy dish made with a silky smooth sauce of fresh lacinato kale, fresh herbs, olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, and parmesan cheese. Creamy, comforting, and packed with savory flavor, this easy pasta recipe transforms simple ingredients into a surprisingly delicious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add cold water to a large 8 quart stockpot (a 6.5 or 7 quart stockpot will also work), and bring to a boil on high heat.
- With the flat side of a large 7 inch chef’s knife, smash garlic cloves, and remove peels. Chop herbs. Strip kale leaves from large center ribs (see Note #3), leaving them whole when possible. Set each one aside individually.
- To a small 8 inch frying pan, add olive oil, smashed garlic, and chili flakes, and cook on medium heat until garlic begins to sizzle, then reduce heat to low. Gently cook (stirring and flipping occasionally) until garlic becomes soft, fragrant, and turns a very light golden color (do not brown). This should take about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cold butter until fully melted, and set aside.
- Once water is at a full boil, add 1 ½ tablespoons kosher salt, and stir. Add kale leaves to boiling water, and stir to submerge kale. Stir occasionally, and cook uncovered for 5 minutes until tender. Using tongs, remove cooked kale leaves and transfer directly to a large high-speed blender cup (see Note #4). Do NOT drain the water from the stock pot, as you will use the same water to boil the pasta. Using a heat proof glass measuring cup, scoop about ⅓ cup pasta water, and set aside.
- Bring the “green” water in the stock pot to a boil again. Add dried pasta, stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the pan, and cook according to package instructions, until al dente.
- While pasta is cooking, add garlic chili oil mixture to the blender cup with kale, 1 pinch of salt, 1 pinch pepper, fresh herbs, and only ¼ cup of pasta water. Blend about 30 seconds until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add remaining pasta water, and blend again for only a few seconds.
- Once pasta is cooked, scoop about 1 ½ cups of pasta water from the pot, and set aside. Drain, and return cooked pasta to the stockpot. Over low to medium-low heat, add blended kale sauce to the pasta, and stir to combine. Add about ½ cup of pasta water, ½ cup parmesan cheese, and stir to combine until pasta and sauce is warmed through, adding more pasta water a little at a time, if needed. Serve immediately, and garnish with remaining ¼ cup parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- I found the best combination of fresh herbs are Italian parsley, tarragon, oregano & thyme. If you cannot find fresh tarragon, then use only parsley, oregano & thyme.
- My favorite shape of pasta to use for this recipe is campanelle. It’s perfect for this recipe because the sauce coats every bit of the pasta inside and out. You can use any type of dried pasta you like, but you want to use a pasta that has a substantial shape that can hold the sauce in its nooks and crannies, such as rigatoni, penne, farfalle, cellentani, cavatelli, or medium shells. You can find most of these pasta shapes in your local grocery stores.
- To learn the best way to strip kale leaves from thick center stems, while leaving them intact, just watch the recipe video for “How to Make this Garlicky Kale Pasta!” on my website.
- Use a high speed blender to create a thick and creamy consistency to this sauce. Both the NutriBullet high speed blender, and the Vitamix high-speed blender work extremely well for this recipe.
- Makes 4 moderate sized servings.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
426Fat (grams)
20 gSat. Fat (grams)
6 gCarbs (grams)
47 gFiber (grams)
4 gNet carbs
44 gSugar (grams)
2 gProtein (grams)
14 gSodium (milligrams)
356 mgCholesterol (grams)
24 mgNutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods. The sodium used in the pasta water is not included in the nutritional calculations for this recipe.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve as is, or finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
VIDEO
How to Make this Garlicky Kale Pasta Recipe!
Blog Comments & Tips
A vibrant and flavorful pasta recipe!
Kale pasta, affectionately known as “Shrek Pasta,” is proof that comfort food can also be incredibly nourishing. This Garlicky Kale Pasta recipe is my version of the dish. The ingredients used in this recipe add much more flavor than other kale pasta recipes I have tried. With its velvety green sauce made from fresh lacinato kale, olive oil, garlic, herbs, chili flakes, and parmesan cheese, this simple pasta dish delivers both rich flavor and impressive health benefits in every bite. Between the name “Shrek Pasta,” and its vibrant green color, this pasta recipe is a sneaky way to get kids to eat their vegetables!
The star ingredients in this recipe are lacinato kale and garlic. Here are some of the health benefits of this Garlicky Kale Pasta recipe.
Rich in Vitamins & Minerals: Lacinato kale, also called dinosaur kale, is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Kale is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, nutrients that help support immune health, skin health, and strong bones. It’s also packed with fiber, which helps support healthy digestion.
Anti-Inflammatory & Immune Function: Fresh garlic not only adds bold savory flavor but also provides natural compounds that may support heart health and immune function. Garlic has long been valued for its potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a flavorful ingredient with added wellness benefits.
Heart-Healthy: Olive oil adds a luxurious silky texture to this pasta sauce while providing heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Extra virgin olive oil is rich in antioxidants and may support healthy cholesterol levels. It is a much healthier ingredient choice to add richness to this sauce without the need for heavy cream.
Antioxidants: Fresh herbs brighten the flavor of the sauce while adding additional antioxidants and nutrients. Herbs like parsley, tarragon, or oregano can help elevate both the freshness and nutritional value of this dish. The deep green color of lacinato kale is a sign of its high antioxidant content, which may help protect the body from inflammation and oxidative stress.
Supports Metabolism & Circulation: The addition of chili flakes produces a gentle, spicy heat while providing capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers that may help support metabolism and circulation.
Probiotics & Nutrients: Parmesan cheese contains beneficial lactobacillus bacteria that supports gut health, and it’s a good source of zinc, Vitamin A, and B12. Parmesan is also virtually lactose-free! Because it is aged for at least 12–36 months, the lactose content in parmesan is broken down, making it safer and easier to digest for people with lactose intolerance.
Bone Health: Just 1 ounce of parmesan cheese provides roughly 26% of the daily recommended value of calcium. It also contains phosphorus, which works with calcium for bone strength.
This Garlicky Kale Pasta is a delicious way to enjoy more leafy greens in a comforting and kid friendly meal. Whether you serve it for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal, this vibrant green pasta delivers the perfect balance of comfort, flavor, and nutrition. Combined with parmesan cheese, the result is a creamy, savory sauce that feels indulgent while still being packed with wholesome ingredients.
How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?
My 7 tips to making the best Garlicky Kale Pasta:
Use organic ingredients. There are roughly 150 varieties of kale, so make sure you select organic lacinato kale for this recipe, as it is high in nutrients, has plenty of structure, and keeps its vibrant green color during the cooking process.
Use a medley of fresh herbs, such as Italian parsley, oregano, and thyme. When I can find it, I like to add tarragon. Fresh herbs are one of the secrets to brightening up the flavor of this kale pasta sauce.
When you smash your garlic with the flat side of the knife, try to flatten the garlic a bit without breaking it apart.
Do not brown or burn your garlic, as it will make your sauce bitter. While the garlic is slowly simmering in the oil, stirring and occasionally flipping the garlic will help prevent it from overbrowning. If you have small bits that break apart from the main garlic clove and brown too quickly, just remove the tiny bits from the pan once they are golden, and leave the larger pieces of garlic to continue cooking.
Do not be afraid of the chili flakes. I used only a small amount that gives this pasta sauce only a gentle kick. If you or your kids do not like any spiciness, you can add just a small pinch to the oil, or eliminate the chili flakes altogether.
Don’t skip the butter. Just 1 tablespoon of butter adds a wonderful flavor and texture to this sauce.
Do not overcook your pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente according to your package instructions. The pasta will continue to cook in the sauce for a few minutes.
It’s time to customize and Pimp My Recipe.
Pimp My Recipe:
Make it Spicier: Simply add more chili flakes to taste. This recipe uses only ¼ teaspoon of chili flakes, but you can increase it to ½ teaspoon for a spicy kick, or even more for a knock your socks off spiciness!
Make it Milder: Use only 1 small pinch of chili flakes. Or eliminate the chili flakes altogether.
Make it Gluten Free: Replace the pasta with a gluten free pasta. I like using DeCecco Mezzi Rigatoni Gluten Free Pasta.
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Happy Cooking!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to stir and occasionally flip your garlic when cooking in the oil to prevent the garlic from overbrowning.
Adapted from the Kale Sauce Pasta recipe from New York Times Cooking by Joshua McFadden and adapted by Tejal Rao. The ingredients, quantities, and techniques used in making my recipe were significantly changed in order to elevate this dish, and to create a richer and more flavorful sauce than the original recipe.
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