Rigatoni with Lemony Kale-and-Pecorino Pesto - PCOS-Friendly Recipe

Rigatoni with Lemony Kale-and-Pecorino Pesto
Servings: 4
Lunch

This Rigatoni with Lemony Kale-and-Pecorino Pesto is a PCOS-friendly recipe.

Nutrition per Serving

0 Calories
0g Protein
0g Carbs
0g Fat
Recipe by Chris Cosentino Making pesto with kale instead of basil isn't just healthier, it's unexpectedly delicious. And according to the dish's creator, chef Chris Cosentino, it's a simple way to get kids to eat kale.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb. Tuscan kale
  • 1 lb. rigatoni
  • 3 clove garlic
  • 1/4 c. pine nuts
  • 2/3 c. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 oz. Pecorino Toscano cheese
  • 1 tbsp. lemon zest
  • 1 pinch Aleppo pepper
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring 2 large pots of generously salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Add the kale to one of the pots and cook for 1 minute, until bright green and just tender. Drain and immediately transfer to the ice water. When cool, drain again. Transfer the kale to a work surface with some water clinging to the leaves and chop.
  2. Meanwhile, add the rigatoni to the other pot of boiling water. Cook until almost al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  3. Transfer the kale to a blender. Add the garlic and pine nuts and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the oil and process until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the 1/2 cup of Pecorino and the lemon zest. Season to taste with the Aleppo pepper, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Return the pasta to the pot. Add the pesto and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, adding some of the pasta water if it seems dry. Spoon the pasta into bowls, top with additional cheese and Aleppo pepper and serve. Looking for more dinner options? Check out our pork chop recipes, chicken recipes, and potato recipes.

PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe

This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Kale, Lemon, Nuts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this Rigatoni with Lemony Kale-and-Pecorino Pesto recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly., it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health.

Yes, this recipe works well as a PCOS-friendly Lunch. Pair it with other PCOS-friendly foods throughout the day for balanced nutrition.

This recipe can be part of a structured PCOS meal plan. It makes 4 servings, making it great for meal prep. For a complete weekly plan tailored to your PCOS type, take our free 60-second quiz at pcosmealplanner.com/pcos-quiz to get a personalized 7-day meal plan.

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