Swiss chard on wooden table

Creamy Swiss Chard Pasta with Leeks

Alexa Weibel

Ingredients 

  • ¾ pound Swiss Chard 1 large bunch, green, washed and trimmed
  • 2 Leeks Large
  • 5 Tablespoons Butter Unsalted
  • ½ cup Bread Crumbs Panko
  • Salt To taste
  • Ground Black Pepper To taste
  • 3 Garlic Cloves Thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons Thyme Leaves Fresh
  • 2 cups Broth Chicken or Vegetable
  • ¾ cup Heavy Cream
  • 16 ounces Pasta Linguine or Fettucine
  • ¾ cup Parmesan Cheese Finely grated
  • Tarragon Leaves Optional; fresh. for garnish
  • 1 Lemon Optional; for garnish

Equipment

  • Stovetop
  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the chard: tear the leaves off the stems, separating the leaves and stems. Thinly slice the stems, then coarsely tear the leaves into bite-size pieces. Set both aside in separate bowls.
  • Prepare the leeks: trim off the bottom, and the dark green portions at the top. Halve the remaining white and pale-green portions lengthwise, then thinly slice them crosswise. Wash and drain. Set aside.
  • Prepare the bread crumbs: In a large skillet, melt 2 Tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs, season lightly with salt, generously with pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and toasted- 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Wipe out the skillet. Add the remaining 3 Tablespoons of butter and melt over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, chard stems, garlic, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks start to wilt and soften- about 5 minutes. Add the torn chard, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until just wilted- about 2 minutes
  • Add the stock and heavy cream, and boil over high until thickened- about 10 minutes
  • Once the mixture is simmering, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water, and cook until al dente. Drain pasta.
  • Transfer the chard mixture to the empty pasta pot. Stir in the cooked, drained pasta, then sprinkle with the Parmesan, stirring vigorously to melt it into the sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Divide among shallow bowls or plates. Sprinkle generously with the prepared bread crumbs. Top with tarragon, and grate fresh lemon zest on top if using. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Creamy Swiss Chard Pasta with Leeks
Amount per Serving
Calories
 
888
Calories from Fat 342
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
38
g
58
%
Saturated Fat
 
23
g
144
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Cholesterol
 
112
mg
37
%
Sodium
 
1209
mg
53
%
Potassium
 
789
mg
23
%
Carbohydrates
 
111
g
37
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
8
g
9
%
Protein
 
27
g
54
%
Vitamin A
 
7487
IU
150
%
Vitamin C
 
48
mg
58
%
Calcium
 
388
mg
39
%
Iron
 
5
mg
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Bread Crumbs, Broth, Chicken Broth, Garlic, Garlic Cloves, Garlic Powder, Leeks, Lemon, Low Sodium Broth, Panko Bread Crumbs, Parmesan Cheese, Pasta, Swiss Chard, Tarragon, Thyme, Vegetable Broth, Whole Wheat Pasta, Yeast