Cavolo Nero Pasta with Ricotta and Chilli
This is some seriously green pasta. So green it looks healthy... Well, you'd be right. The sauce contains cavolo nero and spinach which supply vitamins K, A and C, as well as many antioxidants, and ricotta for lots of protein and calcium. So, basically, what we're trying to say is that this bowl of pasta is perfect for when you *need* a salad, but you actually just want pasta. This recipe makes quite a lot of sauce, so we recommend freezing a few portions and cooking some fresh pasta when needed.
Method
Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to the boil while you prep the cavolo nero. Use your hand to strip the dark, leafy part away from the stalk. Roughly chop the dark leaves and stalks separately and peel the garlic cloves. Prepare a bowl of ice water to cool the greens after blanching.
Step 2
Add the chopped stalks to the boiling water along with the peeled garlic cloves. Cook for 2 minutes before adding the cavolo nero leaves and spinach. Cook for 1 more minute then transfer everything from the boiling water to the ice bath. Leave to cool before you make the sauce.
Step 3
Tip the pasta into the same boiling water and cook according to the packet instructions. Reserve a cup of the pasta water.
Step 4
Squeeze as much water as possible from the greens and add to a blender along with a pinch of chilli (if desired), the lemon zest and juice, the olive oil, half the ricotta and some salt and pepper. Blend into a smooth, bright green sauce.
Step 5
Drain the pasta once ready and pour in the green sauce. Mix well and taste for seasoning. Loosen with a splash of pasta water if needed.
Step 6
Plate up and top with the remaining ricotta, a pinch of chilli flakes and an extra squeeze of lemon.
- Ingredients
- Based on 4 servings
-
200g Cavolo Nero 1x Sainsbury's Cavolo Nero, Black Kale 200g -
2 Garlic Cloves, peeled 1x Sainsbury's Garlic -
100g Baby Spinach 1x Sainsbury's Baby Leaf Spinach 100g -
400g Pasta 1x Sainsbury's Casarecce Pasta, Taste the Difference 500g -
250g Ricotta 1x Sainsbury's Ricotta Cheese 250g -
1 Lemon, juice and zest 1x Sainsbury's Lemons -
0.5 tsp Chilli Flakes 1x Sainsbury's Crushed Chillies 32g -
4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1x Sainsbury's Olive Oil, Extra Virgin 500ml -
Maldon Salt, to taste 1x Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 250g