A cavolo nero caesar salad with serving spoons

14 cavolo nero recipes

Janine Ratcliffe

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Make the most of nutritious leafy green with our cavolo nero recipes, from vibrant salads and hearty pasta dishes to our warming minestrone soup

Looking for cavolo nero recipes? Want the best cavolo nero pasta? Try our ideas below and check out our kale recipes and cabbage recipes for more veggie inspiration.

When is cavolo nero in season?

UK cavolo nero season starts in June and ends in October. Cavolo nero is at its best between July and October.

Why we love cavolo nero

This leafy green is packed with nutrients and perfect for adding to soups, stews and more. It holds up to cooking well – we love it paired with rich sausage casseroles and adding to minestrone for extra depth of flavour. Earthy cavolo nero also pairs with well with dairy: we've added it to a quiche, paired it with creamy ricotta dumplings in a soup and even made a decadent green lasagne where cavolo nero is the star.

What are the health benefits of cavolo nero?

Our expert nutritionist, Tracey Raye, says, "cavolo nero is rich in fibre and high in anti-inflammatory flavonoids. This deep green, cruciferous veg contains more vitamin C than a whole orange. It also contains vitamin K, vital for blood clotting and antioxidants that support eye health."

Cavolo nero recipes

Sausages and braised puy lentils with cavolo nero and kale

Make the most of leafy greens in our sausage one-pot recipe, featuring cavolo nero and kale and served with a quick, punchy gremolata on the side.

Baked orzo with harissa prawns

Pair cavolo nero with prawns flavoured with harissa, dill, garlic and lemon, then serve swirled through orzo for a speedy but sophisticated midweek dinner.

Green cannellini minestrone with ricotta dumplings

Try this riot of all things green and nutritious, from cavolo nero to spinach and sugar snap peas. There are cheesy dumplings on top too, for a touch of indulgence.

Cavolo nero risotto with peas and chilli

Celebrate fresh cavolo nero with our creamy veggie orzo risotto. Add sweet peas and punchy chilli for a warming midweek meal. Orzo pasta makes a great base for risottos.

Cavolo nero, anchovy and roasted butter bean caesar

Try this twist on a caesar salad, with plenty of texture and punchy flavours of anchovies, garlic and mustard. We do recommend dressing the cavolo nero with your (clean) hands to ensure every bite is perfectly coated in dressing.

A cavolo nero caesar salad with serving spoons

Truffled celeriac and cavolo nero lasagne

Layers of celeriac béchamel are swirled with a delicious cavolo nero pesto in this decadent lasagne, plus we've added a hint of very good truffle oil to add a note of luxury to things.

A whole lasagne with a serving on a side plate

Vegetarian minestrone

This wholesome vegetarian minestrone stew is easy to make and packed with nutritious veggies such as cavolo nero, making an ideal winter warming recipe.

Ginger broth with pearl barley and tofu

This plant-based broth is healthy but also filling and full of flavour. Ginger will settle your stomach, pearl barley and cavolo nero aid digestion and provide texture, and tofu is a great source of protein and minerals.

Someone ladling broth into a white bowl

‘Eat your greens’ quiche lorraine

Take quiche Lorriane to the next level with our recipe packed with crispy pancetta and wilted cavolo nero and spring onions. It serves six, so you can enjoy what's left with a green salad the next day.

Winter greens and ricotta cannelloni

This warming cannelloni, packed with cavolo nero, is a great vegetarian main to store in your freezer. The recipe is easily doubled, so why not make one for tonight and one to freeze?

Orecchiette with anchovies, cavolo nero and caramelised onions

Make the most of cavolo nero season with this low-calorie, flavour-packed pasta dish. It makes a quick and easy mid-week evening meal for two.

Cavolo nero salad with pink grapefruit and avocado

Cavolo nero is the star of this vegetarian, low-calorie and gluten-free salad. With its contrasting textures and flavours, this salad is striking to look at and packed full of the nutrients our bodies are craving.

Sweet potato gnudi, lemony cavolo nero, crispy sage and parmesan

Try this pillowy sweet potato gnudi recipe with lemony cavolo nero and crispy sage. This impressive dish comes from Edinburgh restaurant, 27 Elliott's. Similar to gnocchi, gnudi are instead made from ricotta, making them a lighter alternative.

Crispy sausage orecchiette

Look for herby sausages that are already well-seasoned, so that you only need a few extra ingredients (including all-important cavolo nero) to make up a hearty plate of food.

Authors

Janine Ratcliffe in a short sleeved long dress sitting on a chair beneath palm trees on a balcony

Janine RatcliffeFood director

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