Skip to Content
Menu

Creamy Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

  • Jump to Recipe
  • Save
by: Macheesmo
Updated Mar 23, 2017
  • Save
  • Share
  • Jump to Recipe
Blanched kale, pasta, creamy Caesar dressing—this easy recipe has all the ingredients for success. It’ll be your new go-to any time you’re told to “bring a side dish or something.”

More About This Recipe

  • It’s finally here! Picnic season, grilling season, BBQ season…whatever you want to call it, it’s time to feast outdoors. Pasta salad is pretty much the quintessential side dish for all of these parties, and this fast and easy pasta salad is one you can bring to everything. This version starts with Suddenly Pasta Salad™ Caesar and adds in some perfectly blanched kale for a pop of color, crunch and nutrition. You don’t need to use much kale—just a few leaves is plenty. To make the prep even faster, I like to blanch the kale for 30 seconds in the pasta water before I put in the pasta. Then you can pull the kale leaves out with tongs and add the pasta to the same water without waiting for another pot to come to a boil. Just be sure to rinse the kale with cold water to stop the cooking process. Then cut out the large ribs on the kale and dice it up. I like to make my Caesar version creamy by adding some mayonnaise and milk, but you could make a slightly healthier version with olive oil. Both ways are delicious and a great addition to any outdoor party!

Creamy Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

  • Prep Time 15 min
  • Total 25 min
  • Servings 4
  • Ingredients 5
  • Save
  • Share
  • Print
  • Keep Screen On

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped blanched kale
  • 1 box (7.25 oz) Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Pasta Salad™ Caesar
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season it with a big pinch of kosher salt. Add 3 or 4 large kale leaves to water and cook for about 30 seconds, until they turn bright green. Use tongs to remove the kale leaves and run them under cold water to halt the cooking process. Discard ribs and cut leaves into small pieces (about 1 cup total).
  • Step 
    2
    Add the pasta from the Suddenly Salad box to the same pot of boiling water. Cook pasta according to package directions and rinse with cold water when done.
  • Step 
    3
    Meanwhile, dress the chopped kale by combining it with mayonnaise, milk and the packet of Suddenly Salad seasoning.
  • Step 
    4
    Add pasta to kale mixture and stir well to combine. Finally, fold in the Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately or chill and serve later.

Nutrition

370 Calories
19g Total Fat
11g Protein
38g Total Carbohydrate
4g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
370
Calories from Fat
170
Total Fat
19g
29%
Saturated Fat
4 1/2g
23%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
20mg
6%
Sodium
810mg
34%
Potassium
45mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate
38g
13%
Dietary Fiber
1g
5%
Sugars
4g
Protein
11g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
10%
10%
Vitamin C
8%
8%
Calcium
20%
20%
Iron
10%
10%
Exchanges:
2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 3 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
2 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Expert Tips

© 2024 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved