Kale, Northern Bean & Pasta Casserole
CATEGORIES
INGREDIENTS
  • Cooking Time: 20
  • Servings: 6-8
  • Preparation Time: 30 min
  • 2 Medium bunches Kale, washed trimmed & cut into pieces
  • 1 Medium onion, lg dice
  • Cut up pepperoni or any spicy meat of your choice (or not!)
  • Olive oil & 1 T butter
  • Chicken Broth
  • Garlic, chopped (amount to your liking) I used pre-jarred minced garlic with hot peppers 1 T
  • 2 cans Great Northern White Beans (mostly drained, NOT rinsed)
  • Bow Tie or other pasta of choice 1/2 to 3/4 lb Cooked in chicken broth.
  • Red pepper flakes to taste, Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Grated parmesan (a lot!)
DIRECTIONS
  1. cook the pasta in the broth to al dente. Drain reserving 1/4 C pasta broth & Set aside.
  2. In Large pot sauté chopped onion in olive oil & butter until translucent (do not brown).
  3. Add to this the Kale, some S & P, and Red pepper flakes to taste. Remember the beans will be adding a bit of salt too...
  4. Let Kale cook down & wilt, keep it turning gently, after moisture from washed Kale seems to be going away
  5. add 1/4 to 1/2 C chicken broth to pot to finish wilting down the Kale. Covering the pot for a few minutes accelerates
  6. the wilting process. But keep checking it or it will go too quick!
  7. Keep scooping under & over to rotate Kale & onions to cook evenly. do not crush or mash!
  8. Keep bright green & slightly firm. Add beans and gently toss through.
  9. Add pre-cooked Pasta & 1/4 C reserved pasta broth. toss through with Parmesan!
  11. Can add diced pepperoni or hot Portuguese sausage to the onion stage if desired. Serve as a main course with Crusty Bread or as a side dish. Top with a bit more parmesan & Paprika for color.
  13. Delicious with eggs in the morning too!
RECIPE BACKSTORY
My best friend is Portuguese! She and her mom make kale soup from a family recipe. I loved the flavors but wanted to try to change up the texture to a thicker stew type dish. Well I changed out so many of the ingredients and process, we now just call it Laura's Kale Casserole. My sister never thought she would like beans like these & she LOVES this dish! It is easy, hearty & so satisfying! Enjoy!