Skillet Kale and Pumpkin Pasta

This quick and easy one-pot meal delivers a hearty serving of kale and pumpkin over farfalle, tied together with a generous topping of nutty Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

serves Serves 4, active time 30 minutes, total time 30 minutes

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• 3 1/2 cups cubed, peeled and seeded sugar pumpkin or kabocha squash
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
• Pinch of dried red chili flakes
• 1 clove garlic, minced or grated with a Microplane (about 1 teaspoon)
• 4 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 pound farfalle pasta
• 3 cups chopped lacinato kale (tuscan or cavolo nero), stemmed and leaves removed from ribs and cut into 1-inch ribbons
• 1 tablespoon fresh juice from 1 lemon
• 2 ounces finely grated Parmigianno-Reggiano, plus more for serving

Procedures

1. Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the pumpkin, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Push to the side and and add the shallot and chili flakes and cook until softened, about 1 minute more, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another 30 seconds.
   
2. Add the stock and the pasta and adjust the heat to maintain a vigorous boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta has about 4 minutes left to finish and stir in the kale leaves. Allow the pasta to finish cooking and the kale to wilt. Remove from the pan and toss with the lemon juice and cheese. Season to taste. Serve drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with more cheese.