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Healthy Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

A delightful blend of crunchy kale, al dente pasta, and creamy Caesar dressing that brings a wholesome twist to a classic salad.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine: American, Healthy
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base
  • 8 oz whole wheat pasta (like fusilli or penne)
  • 4 cups chopped kale (stems removed)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Toppings
  • ½ cup chickpeas, roasted or canned
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan option)
Dressing and Seasoning
  • ½ cup high-quality Caesar dressing (ensure it's alcohol-free and Halal)
  • 1 juices juice of 1 lemon
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Preparing the Kale
  1. While the pasta cooks, rinse and chop the kale into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, massage the kale with a pinch of salt for 2-3 minutes, which helps to soften it and brings out the flavors.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Add the cherry tomatoes and roasted chickpeas to the bowl with kale.
  2. Once the pasta has cooled, add it to the kale mixture. Drizzle the Caesar dressing over the top and toss everything together until well coated.
  3. Squeeze fresh lemon juice, sprinkle parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently and serve immediately, or let it chill in the fridge for flavors to meld.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, swap parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast. Dress just before serving to keep the salad crisp. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.