Kale Pesto Pappardelle with Chicken Meatballs
Dinner Ideas for Pre-Cooked Meatballs
Twirly noodles tossed in a five-minute kale pesto, tender chicken meatballs, and plenty of nutty parmesan are the makings of our new favorite throw-it-together weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Amount / Quantity | Ingredients |
---|---|
24 | |
3 cups | Chopped packed kale, massaged and stems removed |
1 cup | Basil |
Heaping ¼ cup | Parmesan cheese |
1 tablespoon | Lemon juice |
1 | Large garlic clove |
1/4 cup | Pistachios |
1/4 teaspoon | Salt |
1/4 cup | Olive oil |
16 ounces | Pappardelle pasta |
1/2 cup | Pasta water |
Extra parmesan, for sprinkling |
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Directions
Fill a large pot with ½ cup of water. Add frozen chicken meatballs. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 9 minutes. Remove meatballs from the pot and drain water. Set aside.
Fill pot with water. Bring to a rolling boil. Season with salt.
While the water comes to a boil, add the kale, basil, parmesan, lemon juice, garlic, pistachios, and salt to a food processor. Blend until smooth. With the mixer on drizzle in the oil. Scrape the sides downs and blend again until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
When the water comes to a boil, drop the pasta into the water. Cook until just under al dente.
When the pasta has cooked, use a liquid measuring cup to take out 1 cup of the pasta water. Set aside. Drain the pasta.
Add the pasta back to the pot along with the pesto and ½ cup of pasta water. Use tongs to toss the pasta with the pesto. Add the meatballs. Toss again. If needed add more pasta water to loosen the sauce up. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with parmesan cheese.