# Spaghetti aglio e olio with lots of kale

> A simple 25-minute pasta that transforms an entire bunch of kale into silky, garlicky ribbons.
- Title: Spaghetti aglio e olio with lots of kale · Bon Appétit
- Summary: A simple 25-minute pasta that transforms an entire bunch of kale into silky, garlicky ribbons. Blanch kale in salted pasta water first to soften it, then…
- Keywords: spaghetti, kale, aglio e olio, pasta, garlic, olive oil, vegetarian, weeknight dinner, 30 minutes or less, italian, bon appétit, food
- Source: Bon Appétit — https://bonappetit.com/recipe/spaghetti-with-kale
- Author: Carla Lalli Music
- Published: 2017-01-10T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: spaghetti, kale, aglio e olio, pasta, garlic, olive oil, vegetarian, weeknight dinner, 30 minutes or less, italian, bon appétit, food
## Aglio e olio meets your crisper
This spaghetti combines the simplicity of aglio e olio with an entire bunch of kale. A quick blanch in salted water softens the greens before they hit the pan.

> This spaghetti with kale is what happens when aglio e olio meets an entire crisper drawer's worth of greens.
## Blanch kale in pasta water
Tear 3 large bunches of kale into 2 to 3 inch pieces and boil in salted water for about 2 minutes until bright green and slightly softened. This same water cooks your pasta.
## Build the garlicky base
Heat a quarter cup of olive oil with 5 crushed garlic cloves over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add generous black pepper and smash the garlic until golden and broken into pieces.
## Finish kale in the oil
Add the blanched kale to the garlicky oil and cook for 7 to 9 minutes, stirring often, until it darkens and becomes very tender. Season with salt and more black pepper.
## Cook pasta al dente
While the kale cooks, boil 12 ounces of spaghetti in the same salted water, cooking it 2 to 3 minutes less than the package directions for very al dente pasta.
## Toss and finish
Add the pasta to the kale with about 1 cup of pasta cooking liquid. Toss for 2 minutes, adding more liquid as needed until the sauce coats the pasta. Top with Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and flaky salt.
## Key takeaway

Blanch kale in salted pasta water first to soften it, then finish it in garlicky olive oil for a deeply satisfying weeknight dinner.