Swiss Chard and White Bean Pasta
Greens and beans are a classic Italian pairing. Combined with pasta this Swiss chard and white bean pasta recipe is a simple but hearty and satisfying meal that comes together in the time that it takes to cook your pasta!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 1 bunch swiss chard
- 1/4 cup olive oil (plus extra for drizzling on at the end of cooking)
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- a pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 clove garlic (finely minced)
- 540 ml can of white beans (drained and rinsed)
- juice of 1 lemon (divided)
- 450 g pasta
- 2-3 tbsp . Parmigiano cheese (plus extra for serving at the table)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Rinse the swiss chard well. Cut the stems into small pieces. Roughly chop the leaves.
- 2
In a large skillet heat olive oil and sauté the onion, red pepper flakes (optional) and a pinch of salt for 2-3 minutes.
- 3
Stir in garlic, chopped swiss chard stems and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- 4
Add chopped swiss chard leaves, a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 minutes longer.
- 5
At this point, add pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente.
- 6
Add the white beans to the chard mixture and cook for about 3 minutes. Add 2-3 ladles of pasta water to the mixture to help create a thick and creamy sauce. You may also mash some of the beans with the back of the wooden spoon for a creamier texture.
- 7
Stir in half of the lemon juice as well as salt and pepper, to taste.
- 8
Drain the pasta and add to the chard/bean mixture. Stir in remaining lemon juice; grated Parmigiano cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
- 9
Add more pasta water, as needed, to help bind the sauce to the pasta. Serve hot with extra grated cheese at the table.