This delightful garlic lemon kale spaghetti is a perfect blend of fresh, vibrant flavors and hearty pasta. It's a quick and easy dish that brings together the zesty brightness of lemon, the robust taste of garlic, and the nutritious goodness of kale. Ideal for a weeknight dinner, this recipe is both satisfying and healthy.
If you don't usually keep kale in your kitchen, you'll need to pick some up at the supermarket. Look for fresh, dark green leaves without any yellowing or wilting. Lemon is another key ingredient; make sure to get a fresh one for the best flavor. The rest of the ingredients are common pantry staples.
Ingredients for Garlic Lemon Kale Spaghetti
Spaghetti: The base of the dish, providing a hearty and satisfying texture.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing, it adds a rich, fruity flavor to the dish.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic quality that enhances the overall flavor.
Kale: A nutrient-dense leafy green that adds texture and a slightly bitter taste.
Lemon: Provides a zesty, fresh flavor that brightens up the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When sautéing the garlic, make sure to keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the dish. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the olive oil while sautéing the garlic. This will give the spaghetti a subtle kick without overpowering the fresh taste of the lemon juice and kale.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
spaghetti - Substitute with whole wheat spaghetti: Whole wheat spaghetti adds more fiber and nutrients, making it a healthier option.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and a similar healthy fat profile, making it a great alternative for cooking.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the dish well if garlic is not preferred.
kale - Substitute with spinach: Spinach is a tender leafy green that cooks quickly and provides a similar nutritional profile to kale.
lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime juice offers a similar acidic and citrusy flavor, making it a suitable replacement for lemon juice.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the spaghetti to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
- Transfer the Garlic Lemon Kale Spaghetti to an airtight container. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the absorption of other odors from the fridge.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The kale may lose some of its vibrant color, but the flavors will meld beautifully.
- For freezing, portion the spaghetti into individual servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
- Place the portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness.
- Freeze for up to 2 months. Beyond this, the texture of the kale may degrade.
- To reheat, thaw the spaghetti in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and preserves texture.
- Reheat in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of olive oil or lemon juice to refresh the flavors.
- Alternatively, microwave on medium power, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a large pan over medium heat.
- Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to prevent sticking.
- Add the leftover Garlic Lemon Kale Spaghetti to the pan.
- Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a bit more lemon juice or a splash of vegetable broth.
Microwave Method:
- Place the leftover spaghetti in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a tablespoon of water or olive oil to keep it moist.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a few holes poked in it.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Check if it's heated through; if not, continue in 30-second increments.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Garlic Lemon Kale Spaghetti in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stir halfway through the baking time to ensure even heating.
Steam Method:
- Place a steamer basket in a pot with a small amount of water.
- Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat.
- Place the leftover spaghetti in the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
- Toss gently to combine the flavors before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions.
Colander: Essential for draining the cooked spaghetti.
Large pan: Needed to sauté the garlic and cook the kale.
Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the garlic, kale, and spaghetti.
Chef's knife: Ideal for chopping the kale and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for chopping the kale and mincing the garlic.
Juicer: Helps to extract the juice from the lemon efficiently.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the olive oil accurately.
Tongs: Handy for tossing the spaghetti with the kale and lemon juice.
Serving bowl: Perfect for serving the finished garlic lemon kale spaghetti.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Chop the kale and mince the garlic the night before to save time.
Use pre-washed kale: Buy pre-washed and pre-chopped kale to skip the washing and chopping steps.
Cook pasta in advance: Cook the spaghetti earlier in the day and store it in the fridge. Reheat it in the pan with the other ingredients.
Lemon juice shortcut: Use bottled lemon juice instead of squeezing fresh lemons to save a few minutes.
One-pan method: Cook the spaghetti in the same pan as the kale and garlic to reduce cleanup time.
Garlic Lemon Kale Spaghetti
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bunch kale, chopped
- 1 lemon lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add chopped kale to the pan and cook until wilted.
- Add cooked spaghetti to the pan. Pour lemon juice over the top and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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