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Vegetarian Research

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Kale and Feta

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Kale and Feta is easy to prepare, full of flavor and can be enjoyed as a filling dinner or a chilled pasta salad side dish!  You only need a handful of ingredients to make this delicious vegetarian pasta recipe.  Sun-dried tomatoes pack a big flavor punch, the kale adds extra veggies and feta cheese is a must!

white dinner bowl full of kale and sun-dried tomato pasta with feta cheese

My garden is currently exploding with fresh herbs and greens, like spinach and kale.  It’s the perfect time of summer for fresh salads and homemade flavorful pasta sauces.  This Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Kale and Feta comes together quickly, packs a flavor punch and can be enjoyed warm or chilled!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Flavorful Pasta Recipe!

  • Easy to make – The food processor does most of the work in this pasta recipe!  Add all ingredients in, except pasta and feta, and blend until you have a thick sauce and then mix that into the pasta.  Super easy but also impressive.
  • Packed with flavor – The sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, and basil both add so much flavor to the pasta sauce.  The feta cheese also has a nice salty bite.
  • Great way to sneak kale in – You don’t really even taste the kale much in this recipe, so its a great way to sneak some extra greens in for everyone!

showing how to make the flavorful sun-dried tomato, kale and basil sauce for the pasta

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Recipe Ingredients

  • Pasta – You can use any type of pasta you like for this recipe.  I used rotini and it was great for trapping the delicious sauce!  Bite sized pasta is always great for pasta salad, but spaghetti noodles could also be used.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes – This recipe calls for one jar of oil packed sun-dried tomatoes.  The entire jar gets added to the food processor, including the oil.  If you only have the dry, packaged ones, use those and then add in about 1/3 cup of olive oil.
  • Kale – Kale or spinach can be used for this recipe.  I like to throw the kale in raw, but you could also steam, or quickly sauté it if you prefer cooked kale.
  • Basil – I wouldn’t call this sun-dried tomato sauce a pesto, but I love basil so I did add some in and the texture is slightly similar to a pesto.  You could also just add in a few spoonfuls of prepared pesto if you prefer.
  • Garlic – I added 2 cloves of garlic, but you can add as many, or as little, as you like.  If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, you can add about 1/4 or so teaspoon of granulated garlic.
  • Calabrian Chili – If you like heat, I’d reccomend adding a few spoonfuls of crushed calabrian chilis in!  I only added about 1 teaspoon, but I love the flavor the heat it adds.  You could also just add in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • Feta Cheese – I used a block of feta cheese that I cut into small cubes, but crumbled feta is great too.  The feta cheese could be swapped for goat cheese, if you like!  Vegan feta cheese can also easily be swapped.
  • Salt and Pepper

sun-dried tomato pesto in the food processor and then being mixed into the rotini pasta

How To Make Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Kale and Feta

  1. Heat a large pot of salted (optional) water until boiling.  Add in your pasta, give it a stir and cook according to package directions.  Drain pasta and set aside.  If making pasta salad, rinse pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and then set aside.
  2. To a food processor, add in the entire jar of sun-dried tomatoes, including the oil.  Next, add in the kale, garlic, basil, Calabrian chili, salt and pepper.  Turn food processor on high and blend until a thick sauce-like texture is reached, about 1 minute.
  3. Add the sun-dried tomato sauce to your pasta and mix until completely combined.  Add in the crumbled feta cheese and mix again.  Season with extra salt and pepper, if needed, and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.  Enjoy this vegetarian pasta recipe warm or chilled. 

serving bowl full of kale and sun-dried tomato pasta with feta cheese

 

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

  • Make this recipe gluten free by using your favorite gluten free pasta.
  • Make this recipe vegan by using vegan feta cheese or omitting the feta cheese.
  • Is this pasta recipe meant to be served warm or cold?  This recipe is great because it can be served either way!  Serve immediately after making if you like, or chill in the refrigertaor and serve as a cold pasta side dish.
  • How long do leftovers last?  If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 4-5 days.

Have a question I didn’t answer?  Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP!

close up shot of a bowl of kale and sun-dried tomato pasta with fresh basil

Looking For More Easy Summer Pasta Recipes?

Parmesan Tomato Pasta Salad with Fresh Herbs

Vegan Avocado Pesto Pasta

Green Goddess Pasta with Parmesan

Crispy Sausage Pesto Pasta with Veggies

Herby Lemon Jalapeno Pasta with Crispy Chickpeas

 

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Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Kale and Feta


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review


  • Author:
    She Likes Food


  • Total Time:
    30 minutes


  • Yield:
    4-6
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Kale and Feta is easy to prepare, full of flavor and can be enjoyed as a filling dinner or a chilled pasta salad side dish!  You only need a handful of ingredients to make this delicious vegetarian pasta recipe.  Sun-dried tomatoes pack a big flavor punch, the kale adds extra veggies and feta cheese is a must!


Ingredients

  • 1 lb rotini pasta, or your favorite kind
  • 1 (8.5 oz) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil with seasonings
  • 2 cups chopped kale, packed
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 12 cloves garlic
  • 12 teaspoons crushed Calabrian chilis (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more if needed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper or red pepper flakes



Instructions

  1. Heat a large pot of salted (optional) water until boiling.  Add in your pasta, give it a stir and cook according to package directions.  Drain pasta and set aside.  If making pasta salad, rinse pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and then set aside.
  2. To a food processor, add in the entire jar of sun-dried tomatoes, including the oil.  Next, add in the kale, garlic, basil, calabrian chili, salt and pepper.  Turn food processor on high and blend until a thick sauce-like texture is reached, about 1 minute.
  3. Add the sun-dried tomato sauce to your pasta and mix until completely combined.  Add in the crumbled feta cheese and mix again.  Season with extra salt and pepper, if needed, and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.  Enjoy this vegetarian pasta recipe warm or chilled.

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Category: Dinner, Vegetarian
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

The post Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Kale and Feta appeared first on She Likes Food.

Vegetarian Research

Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad

This Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad is light, refreshing, and super versatile! Enjoy it as a veggie side dish, or use it as a topping for tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more. This healthy salad comes together quickly and requires just a few ingredients. It’s great for hot summer picnics and cold winter afternoons.

cilantro lime cabbage salad in a serving bowl

I know coleslaw is typically a dish served in the summertime, but cabbage and limes are in season this month! I’m calling this recipe a Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad, although it’s similar to a slaw. This zesty winter salad will brighten up any meal you add it to. It’s great by itself as a snack or side dish and can also be enjoyed as a topping for all your Mexican-inspired meals.

Why You’ll Love This Refreshing Cabbage Salad Recipe

  • It’s easy to make – The dressing comes together quickly in the blender, and if you have a food processor or mandolin, the cabbage can also be shredded quickly. I like to let my salad sit for a bit in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to develop, but you can also enjoy it right away.
  • It’s flavorful and refreshing – Cabbage is already cool and refreshing, but adding the cilantro and lime flavors takes it to the next level. I enjoy this salad anytime, but it’s especially great for a summer BBQ.
  • It’s versatile – This cabbage salad is similar to a slaw and can be used similarly. I enjoy this salad as a side dish, but I also like to eat it on tacos or with beans and rice. It adds a cool and refreshing bite to everything you add it to.

showing how to make the cilantro lime dressing in a blender

Why Your Body Will Love This Recipe

  • Reduced Inflammation – Cabbage is high in antioxidants, which are substances that can help delay or prevent cell damage. Antioxidants are important because they help reduce inflammation inside the body and improve the immune system. Excess inflammation in the body can be responsible for all kinds of sicknesses, including cancer and heart disease.
  • Digestive Health – Cabbage is in the Crusifers family, along with broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Some people are extra sensitive to these veggies and develop gas and bloating after eating them. However, they’re full of fiber, which really helps digestion run smoothly. Cabbage is also a low-calorie food, but a little goes a long way toward helping our bodies feel full for longer.
  • Diabetes Management – Please check with your doctor before adding cilantro to your diet if you have diabetes or low blood sugar levels.  Cilantro, or coriander, can help reduce blood sugar by stimulating an enzyme that removes sugar from the blood.

green cabbage shredded in a bowl

Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad Recipe Ingredients

  • Cabbage – I used one medium-sized head of green cabbage for this recipe. I love cabbage because it’s crunchy and refreshing. You could also use purple or napa cabbage. Of course, if you go the purple route, it will change the look of this salad.
  • Cilantro Lime Dressing – This homemade dressing is packed full of flavor and takes no time to whip together. It uses cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, dijon mustard, maple syrup, cumin and salt. If you don’t like cilantro, I suggest using parsley in its place.

mixing the cilantro lime dressing into the shredded cabbage

How To Make This Crunchy Cabbage Salad

  1. Cut the stalk of the cabbage off and peel off a few of the outer layers. Thinly shred the entire head of cabbage and add it to a large bowl. You can shred your cabbage using a sharp knife, mandolin, or food processor.
  2. Add all of the dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy and completely combined, 30 seconds – 1 minute. Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage and mix together well until the cabbage is completely coated with the dressing.
  3. Add in about 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and mix well. You can enjoy salad immediately or store it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to develop. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Enjoy as a side salad, as a topping for tacos, or with tortilla chips.

close up of a bowl of cilantro lime coleslaw

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

  • This recipe is already vegan and gluten-free.
  • Can I use a substitute in place of cilantro? Yes, if you don’t like cilantro, you can use parsley instead.
  • What is the best type of cabbage for this recipe? I used green cabbage, which worked great, but you can also use napa or purple cabbage if you like.
  • How long do leftovers last? If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 4-5 days.
  • How should this recipe be enjoyed? I like to eat this cabbage salad as a side dish or afternoon snack. You can also use it like you would any kind of slaw (tacos, sandwiches, salads, and more).

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will reply ASAP!

close up of this refreshing cilantro lime slaw in a serving bowl

Looking For More Hearty Cabbage Recipes?

Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Tofu

Chickpea Salad with Cucumber and Cabbage

Noodles with Cabbage and Carrots

Asian Inspired Crunchy Cabbage Salad

Creamy Southwestern Chopped Cabbage Salad,

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Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews


  • Author:
    She Likes Food


  • Total Time:
    20 minutes


  • Yield:
    6-8
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad is light, refreshing and super versatile! Enjoy as a veggie side dish, or use it as a topping for tacos, salads, sandwiches and more. This healthy salad comes together quickly and only requires a few ingredients. It’s great for hot summer picnics, as well as cold winter afternoons.


Ingredients

  • 1 medium sized head green cabbage, about 68 cups once shredded

Cilantro Lime Dressing

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/2 cup packed cilantro
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste (I used about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper



Instructions

  1. Cut the stalk of the cabbage off and then peel a few of the outer layers off.  Thinly shred the entire head of cabbage and then add to a large bowl.  You can shred your cabbage using a sharp knife, mandolin or food processor.
  2. Add all of the dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy and completely combined, 30 seconds – 1 minute.  Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage and mix together well, until cabbage is completely coated with dressing.
  3. Add in about 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and mix well.  You can enjoy salad immediately, or store in the refrigerator for a couple hours to allow the flavors to develop.  Store in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator, for 4-5 days.  Enjoy as a side salad, as a topping for tacos or enjoy with tortilla chips.

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Category: Side, Vegan
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American

The post Cilantro Lime Cabbage Salad appeared first on She Likes Food.

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