One-Pot Pasta with Creamy Garlic Kale

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-03 · Updated 2026-04-03

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A restaurant-quality pasta dish made with just 5 ingredients, ready in 25 minutes without a second pot. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs spaghetti, kale, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz spaghetti
3 cups, chopped kale
4 cloves, minced garlic
1 cup heavy cream
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in chopped kale and cook for 3 minutes until wilted and bright green.
Step 3: Add drained spaghetti, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, and 1 cup heavy cream to the pot. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the pasta evenly.
Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and 1 tbsp lemon juice until melted and glossy. The sauce should cling to the pasta without being runny.