Kale carbonara

Tips: Get the best kale carbonara

Whether it is your first time tackling carbonara or you are a connoisseur of Italian classics, you might benefit from some tips. Read our tips below to succeed with the recipe.

Prep ingredients in advance

Before you start to cook, have all the ingredients prepped and ready. This includes chopping the kale, finely chopping the garlic, and grating the Parmesan cheese. Having everything prepared will make the cooking process smoother and more efficient, which is an advantage for this dish, where timing is quite important to get the best result. Additionally, measure out the butter and coarsely chop the walnuts beforehand, and you are good to go.

Control the heat

When frying nuts, garlic, and kale, keep the heat at medium. This prevents the garlic from burning, which can impart a bitter taste, and ensures the kale becomes tender without overcooking. A controlled heat setting allows the flavours to meld beautifully while preserving the texture of the ingredients. Make sure to adjust the heat if necessary.

Combine quickly

After adding the pasta to the pan with the kale and egg mixture, work quickly to mix everything. The residual heat from the pasta will gently cook the egg mixture, creating a creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs. Ensure your pan is large enough to accommodate all ingredients comfortably. Stir continuously to coat the pasta evenly, achieving a smooth, velvety texture throughout the dish.

Storing and reheating kale carbonara

We do not recommend storing kale carbonara for longer periods, as the creamy sauce is best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. When reheating, use a low heat setting on the stove, adding a splash of reserved pasta water or milk to restore the creamy consistency. Stir gently and continuously to prevent the sauce from separating or the eggs from scrambling. Avoid using a microwave for reheating, as it can cause the sauce to become uneven and the pasta to overcook.

Enjoy our simple recipe for kale carbonara

Discover the perfect carbonara with a twist of kale and walnuts. Our recipe combines the creamy goodness of egg and Parmesan cheese sauce with the robust flavours of shredded kale and roasted walnuts. This dish is not only quick and easy to prepare but also a sophisticated meal that you can serve when hosting a dinner party or simply looking for a delicious and satisfying weeknight meal.

Is pasta your favourite comfort food? Then why not try some of our other tasty pasta dishes? Try our delicious mushroom carbonara, chicken and broccoli pasta, lemon pasta with Parmesan, or chicken cannelloni with mushrooms.

Sweet and earthy flavours from sautéed kale

Sautéing kale brings out its sweet and earthy flavours, making it a perfect addition to this carbonara. Gently sautéed, kale retains its vibrant green colour and tender texture, and it blends seamlessly with the creamy egg and cheese sauce. The slight bitterness of the kale is mellowed by the richness of the eggs and Parmesan cheese, resulting in a well-rounded and delicious meal that will leave you wanting more Italian cuisine.

With silky-smooth sauce and crunchy walnuts

Toasting coarsely chopped walnuts adds a delightful texture and deepens their nutty flavour, perfectly complementing the creamy pasta. The silky-smooth sauce − made the traditional way with nothing more than egg yolks and Parmesan cheese − coats the pasta stunningly. This allows the garlic and walnuts to stand out and enhance the robustness of the kale and velvety texture of the sauce. The Parmesan cheese both enriches the sauce and adds a savoury depth that ties all the elements together, resulting in a truly exquisite kale carbonara.

Cook a quick pasta dish for lunch or dinner

This delicious pasta recipe is ideal for both lunch and dinner. You get a taste of Italy with a fuss-free and quick recipe that will satisfy your pasta cravings.

For a satisfying lunch, serve the kale carbonara as it is. The cheesy sauce and al dente pasta offer a rich and comforting experience, perfect for a midday break. For dinner, elevate the dish with complementary sides. Enjoy a crisp salad with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a touch of olive oil, letting the freshness of the salad balance the richness of the pasta. Tender asparagus spears, grilled and seasoned, make a perfect addition, their slight char and earthy flavour harmonising with the carbonara. Bright green peas and beans also add a layer of freshness to the dish.

Make it your own

Use fresh herbs like chives or parsley to add a vibrant colour and a refreshing taste. You can also try other vegetables and greens. Introduce pan-roasted butternut squash or pumpkin, bringing out a subtle sweetness and comforting texture that pairs well with the earthy kale and crunchy walnuts. Sautéed mushrooms impart an earthy umami flavour, and a hint of lemon or orange zest can brighten the dish. Add other leafy greens like spinach with a mild flavour or rocket with a sharp, peppery note.

Go with a more traditional twist with the usual pancetta as in a classic carbonara, or consider crispy prosciutto for its salty crunch or smoky bacon. Grilled or pan-seared chicken is a great addition with lots of flavours, but prawns or seared scallops would also be delicious as they bring a succulent, slightly sweet flavour that pairs wonderfully with the savoury carbonara sauce. Prawns or scallops add a touch of elegance and a delightful seafood twist, making the dish more refined.

Pine nuts or hazelnuts provide a different nutty nuance for the crunchy touch, while sesame seeds add a subtler crunch. Try pasta types like linguine, slightly wider than spaghetti, or pappardelle, whose broad ribbons hold the sauce wonderfully.