Mediterranean Kale Pasta Salad

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Kale pasta salad might sound fancy, but it’s actually simple and tasty. Inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean, this salad comes together with ease. You’ll get a mix of fresh veggies, tender pasta, and a zesty dressing that ties everything together.

You won’t need a lot of time to whip this up. It’s perfect for a light lunch or a quick dinner. Even if you’re not a fan of kale, this dish might change your mind with its vibrant taste and playful textures.

Tool Requirements

To make this Mediterranean kale pasta salad, you’ll need a large pot to cook the pasta. Having a colander or a strainer is helpful to drain the cooked pasta.

A big mixing bowl is essential for tossing together the pasta, kale, veggies, and dressing. Make sure it’s large enough to hold everything comfortably.

You’ll also want a sharp knife and a cutting board for chopping veggies like tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers.

A salad spinner is great for washing and drying kale quickly, keeping your salad crisp.

For the dressing, grab a small jar or a whisk and a bowl. This makes it easy to mix up ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, and spices.

Finally, have a wooden spoon or tongs handy to toss the salad so all ingredients are well mixed.

Preparing The Ingredients

Start by gathering all your ingredients. You’ll need kale, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, bell peppers, and olives. Don’t forget the whole-grain pasta and fresh basil leaves. For the dressing, have some olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt ready.

Wash the vegetables thoroughly. You want to make sure they are clean and fresh. Chop the kale into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumbers, and chop the red onion and bell peppers. Slice the olives thinly.

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, you can start preparing your dressing. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt for taste.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and let it cool. This way, it doesn’t wilt the fresh ingredients. Combine all the veggies, cooked pasta, and dressing in a large bowl. Toss everything together so that the dressing evenly coats the ingredients.

Finish by tearing up some fresh basil leaves and adding them on top. Mix gently to keep the basil aromatic and not bruised.

Serving Suggestions

• When you serve this kale pasta salad, consider pairing it with some warm, crusty bread. The bread adds a nice texture contrast and is perfect for scooping up any tasty dressing left on the plate.
• Add a splash of fresh lemon juice right before serving. It brightens the flavors and gives a refreshing twist to your salad. You might also want to sprinkle some toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds on top for extra crunch.
• For a fun presentation, serve the salad on a large, flat platter. This allows the colorful mix of ingredients to be seen, making it more inviting to eat. It’s especially good when serving at a gathering or potluck.
• If you’re enjoying this meal for lunch, a slice of avocado toast on the side makes it extra filling. If you prefer to keep it light, pair it with a simple fruit salad. Orange slices or berries work well and complement the flavors in your pasta salad.
• Consider serving this salad with a chilled glass of iced tea or a light, sparkling water flavored with a hint of citrus. It helps round out the meal without overpowering the fresh and zesty flavor of your salad.

Storage Tips

• When you make your Mediterranean kale pasta salad, you’ll want to keep it fresh. Store it in an airtight container to maintain the flavors.
• Place the salad in the fridge if you don’t plan on eating it right away. It can last for up to three days. Stir it before serving to make sure everything is well mixed.
• If you have dressing, keep it separate from the salad. This way, the kale stays crisp longer. Add the dressing right before you’re ready to eat.
• For a bit of a flavor boost, you can sprinkle some extra herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving any leftovers. This gives the salad a little fresh zing. Make sure to keep the salad cold until you’re ready to enjoy it again.

Mediterranean Kale Pasta Salad

This Mediterranean kale pasta salad is the dish you're looking for! This easy and healthy pasta salad recipe won't take long to make, is delicious, and can be stored easily for later. If you want a vegan pasta salad recipe for lunch, as a side dish, or dinner, try this one out!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 2 servings

Calories 175 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 2 cups of kale
• 10 cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/4 red onion
• 1/2 bell pepper
• 1/4 cup of olives
• 1 cup of whole grain pasta
• 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 clove of garlic
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

 

• Wash 2 cups of kale, 10 cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cucumber, 1/4 red onion, and 1/2 bell pepper thoroughly.
• Chop the kale into bite-sized pieces.
• Halve the cherry tomatoes.
• Slice the cucumber.
• Chop the red onion and bell pepper.
• Slice 1/4 cup of olives thinly.
• Cook 1 cup of whole grain pasta according to package instructions.
• While the pasta cooks, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 minced clove of garlic in a small bowl.
• Add a pinch of salt to the dressing.
• Drain the cooked pasta and let it cool.
• Combine all the veggies, cooled pasta, and dressing in a large bowl.
• Toss everything together so that the dressing evenly coats the ingredients.
• Tear up 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves and add them on top.
• Mix gently to keep the basil aromatic and not bruised.

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcal

Keyword Vegan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Stefan K.

Stefan has been vegan since 2019 and has been regularly working on his strength since the beginning of 2023. He’s on a mission to help other vegans get stronger and have all of them achieve the quality of life they deserve.