Cherry Tomato, Kale & Pesto Orecchiette
with Pear Salad
- Gluten
- Wheat
- Milk
- Eggs
- Soy
- May contain traces of allergens
Ear-shaped orecchiette pasta is the perfect bite-sized vessel for a creamy basil pesto. Complete the dish with blistered cherry tomatoes for a burst of sweetness, a touch of acidity and an extra pop of colour.
Ingredients
1 bag
kale
1
pear
1 packet
orecchiette
(Contains: Gluten, Wheat May be present: Eggs, Soy)
1 punnet(s)
snacking tomatoes
2 packet
basil pesto
(Contains: Milk)
1 packet
light cooking cream
(Contains: Milk)
1 sachet
vegetable stock powder
1 bag
mixed salad leaves
1 packet
grated Parmesan cheese
(Contains: Milk)
Not included in your delivery
olive oil
1 drizzle
white wine vinegar
Utensils
Cooking Steps
• Boil the kettle. • Tear kale leaves from stems, then roughly chop leaves. • Thinly slice pear into wedges.
• Pour the boiled water into a large saucepan over high heat. Add a pinch of salt and bring to the boil. • Cook orecchiette in the boiling water until 'al dente', 8 minutes. • Reserve some pasta water (1/4 cup for 2 people / 1/2 cup for 4 people), then drain pasta and return to saucepan.
TIP: 'Al dente' pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm in the centre.
• Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. • Cook snacking tomatoes, stirring occasionally, until blistered, 3-5 minutes. • Reduce heat to medium. Add kale and cook until wilted, 1-2 minutes. • Add basil pesto, light cooking cream, cooked orecchiette, vegetable stock powder and reserved pasta water. Cook, stirring, until combined and heated through, 1-2 minutes. Season to taste. Remove from heat.
• In a large bowl, combine a drizzle of vinegar and olive oil. Season, then add pear and mixed salad leaves. Toss to coat. • Divide tomato, kale and pesto orecchiette between bowls. Sprinkle with shaved Parmesan cheese. Serve with pear salad. Enjoy!
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on July 2026- Flavour: The creamy pesto sauce was a highlight for many, though some found the overall dish mild and boosted it with chilli flakes, garlic powder, or extra pesto.
- Ease of prep: This is a genuinely quick and easy weeknight meal, with several reviewers noting it comes together in well under 30 minutes.
- Suggestions: Kale divided opinion — swapping it for spinach or baby broccoli, or oven-baking it until crispy, helped with texture. Some also recommended halving the tomatoes to reduce blistering time and avoid hot bursts when eating, while others suggested adding bacon, pancetta, chorizo, or prawns for extra substance.
- Leftovers: Many reviewers enjoyed this dish the next day for lunch, with some noting it tasted even better cold.
- Portions: Serves were generally generous, though a handful of reviewers felt the dish needed more protein to be fully satisfying.
- Pear salad: Opinion was split — some loved the fresh contrast it added to the creamy pasta, while others found the pear too hard or the salad unnecessary alongside the dish.
