Kale may be in the spotlight, but chard is a wonderful green you shouldn’t ignore. Try it in this simple yet flavorful Pasta with Garlicky Chard.
Obviously I love kale, especially raw, like in Pomegranate and Apple Kale Salad or Fall Kale and Quinoa Salad, but there’s just something about this other leafy vegetable.
When I start getting chard in my CSA box, I wondered what to do with it. So I started experimenting and found my favorite way to eat it is with pasta.
Chard comes in various colors, even rainbow, with stems that are pink, red, yellow, and orange. I prefer to remove the tough stems and ribs, but if you don’t want to waste them, just cook them first before adding the leaves since they take a little longer. Chard reduces substantially in size when cooked, just like spinach and kale.
What do I like the most about this Pasta with Garlicky Chard?
- It’s pasta, which is comforting and delicious. It’s also affordable and a staple in my pantry. And probably yours, too.
- This recipe only takes a few minutes to make. Dinner will be on the table in under 30 minutes.
- If you want, you can prepare the greens in the same pot you used to cook the pasta. Fewer dishes to clean is always a plus for me!
- You only need a few ingredients: pasta, olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, chard, and salt.
- The leftovers taste great reheated the next day.
Pasta with Garlicky Chard
Ingredients
- 1 box short pasta (12-16 ounces) such as penne (I use Barilla gluten free penne)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil for sauteing
- 2-3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 bunch chard any color, cut into ribbons
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and stir about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add chard and a pinch of salt and saute until chard is tender and reduced in size.
- Combine the chard with the cooked pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed. Taste and add more salt if desired.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
You can save dishes by cooking the chard in the same pot you used to prepare the pasta.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy chard? Please let me know in the comments!
Looking for more pasta recipes? You may also enjoy Creamy Asparagus Pasta.
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Kim says
Just made the garlicky chard pasta and loved it!! Just the right amount of garlic without being over powering. I added a little Romano cheese on the top too. I will make this again for sure.
Amy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Jenn says
I love simple pasta dishes like this. So flavorful, yet so easy. Chard is one of my favorite greens – it’s so pretty!
Amy says
I agree, it is really pretty!
Sarah says
I’m a sucker for anything garlic + pasta! This would be a big hit in my house!
Amy says
Everyone in my house loves it. And it’s such a quick and easy meal!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
Yum! It’s so dreary and cold here today – this would be the perfect dinner! Plus I love chard. 🙂
Amy says
Thanks Mary Ellen! It’s one of my go-to recipes this time of year.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Well, I make an out of the world Swiss Chard gratin!! My kids and grandkids expect it every Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are never any leftovers. I do like adding a leafy green veggie to pasta. I think it not only is more pleasing to the eye but I think it makes the pasta taste better. Your recipe looks delicious!
Amy says
Thanks Marisa! Your dish sounds wonderful, too!
Raia says
I’m always looking for new ways to use chard! This dish looks delicious. 🙂
Amy says
Thanks Raia! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Cadry says
What a beautiful pasta dish! It looks so light, but filling & healthy too.
Veena says
I love the simplicity of this dish. Love chard (or even leeks) ! Can’t wait to try. Thanks for the recipe
Amy says
Ooh, I look forward to leeks in my CSA box, too!
Giselle Rochford says
Love how easy this is to throw together! I haven’t done much experimenting with chard (none, really) but I definitely want to give this a try, so I’ll look for it when next I hit to grocery 🙂
Amy says
Thanks Giselle! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
I cook with spinach and kale often. This gives me a good reason to try more chard!
Amy says
I hope you enjoy it, Matt!
Ginny McMeansg says
So fresh and clean. I love it!
Amy says
Thanks Ginny! I love simple meals.
Louise says
I’ve had a bumper crop of chard this year & eating it with pasta has been on high rotation for dinner. Sometimes with some mushrooms, sometimes with other herbs like thyme or parsley added, even a splash of white wine.
Love your photography of this dish. (goals!)
Amy says
Sounds delicious, Louise! I especially love mushrooms. And thank you very much! 🙂