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5.0 from 33 votes

Swiss Chard Pasta

This simple Swiss chard pasta is a delicious, easy dinner! The earthy chard stems and leaves pair beautifully with sweet golden raisins, rich hazelnuts, and salty pecorino cheese.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces whole grain fusilli pasta
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • 2 bunches Swiss chard stems removed and thinly sliced, leaves chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup caramelized onions optional*
  • Pinches of red pepper flakes
  • ⅓ cup golden raisins
  • ⅓ cup toasted hazelnuts chopped
  • ¼ cup shaved pecorino cheese
  • microgreens optional, for garnish
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, cooking until al dente. Before draining the pasta, scoop out 1 cup of the starchy pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chard stems and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Add the chard leaves, garlic, salt, and several grinds of pepper, and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the leaves are wilted.
  3. Add the pasta, the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon juice, caramelized onions, if using, red pepper flakes, and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water, and toss. Add the raisins and hazelnuts and toss again. If the pasta is dry, add more of the reserved pasta water. Top with the cheese, season to taste, and garnish with microgreens, if desired.

Notes

  • *Since caramelized onions are time consuming to make, I like to make a batch and freeze them to have on hand for quick recipes like this one.