Easy Swiss Chard Pasta with White Beans

ByRachael Ajmera, MS, RD Updated
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This easy Swiss Chard Pasta checks all the boxes: it’s comforting, veggie-packed, protein-rich, and sooo easy to make. Toss everything together in one skillet, grab a fork, and you’ve got a delicious 30-minute dinner ready to enjoy!

Swiss Chard Pasta

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With its deep green leaves and vibrant, colorful stems, Swiss chard is easily one of the most stunning veggies on the supermarket shelf. But if you’ve ever eagerly scooped up a bunch, only to get home and wonder how to actually use it, you’re definitely not alone.

That’s exactly why I love this easy Swiss Chard Pasta dish. It transforms this beautiful, nutritious vegetable into a healthy weeknight meal that’s incredibly easy to make, even if you’ve never cooked with chard before!

And best of all (because I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to spend all evening cooking), this recipe comes together in just 30 minutes! It’s flavorful, filling, and fantastic for leftovers. What more could you ask for?

Give this simple Swiss Chard Pasta a try and be sure to let me know what you think!

Why you’ll love this Swiss Chard Pasta

  • It comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an easy option for busy evenings when you still want something homemade.
  • It’s high in protein and fiber to help keep you full, thanks to the addition of cannellini beans and veggies.
  • It’s a simple (and delicious) way to add more greens to your diet.
  • It makes six servings, so it’s perfect for meal prep, leftovers, or feeding your whole family.
  • It’s easy to customize — add more veggies, swap the pasta, adjust the spice level, or finish with fresh herbs to make it your own.
Swiss Chard Pasta

Swiss Chard Pasta ingredients

  • Spaghetti is the foundation of this pasta dish. The long noodles pair especially well with the beans, greens, and sauce, but any pasta shape will work! You can also use whole-wheat pasta for a little extra fiber.
  • Olive oil is used to sauté the chard and garlic.
  • Swiss chard brings a fun pop of color, an earthy flavor, and tons of nutrients to this dish. Make sure you remove the stems and chop the leaves really well so everything cooks evenly.
  • Garlic adds a bold, savory flavor to this dish.
  • Capers bring a salty, briny taste and give this pasta a big boost of flavor.
  • Parsley adds freshness and a bright, herby finish.
  • Cannellini beans provide protein, fiber, and a creamy texture. Great Northern beans or chickpeas would both work well here too!
  • Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and help brighten up this dish.
  • Red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning team up to bring a little heat and lots of herby, savory flavor to this recipe. Adjust the red pepper flakes as needed, especially if you prefer a milder pasta.
  • Vegan feta adds a tangy finish that goes great with the briny capers and fresh vegetables. It’s totally optional, but highly recommended! Follow Your Heart is my favorite vegan feta brand.

How to serve this Swiss Chard Pasta

  • Serve it alongside a fresh salad for a veggie-packed dinner.
  • Pair it with a slice of bread to soak up any sauce left at the bottom of your bowl.
  • Add a side of roasted veggies (such as broccoli, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts) for even more fiber and flavor.
  • Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving for a pop of acidity.
  • Enjoy with hummus, olives, roasted red peppers, and warm pita as part of a Mediterranean spread.
Swiss Chard Pasta

Substitutions & variations

  • Spaghetti – Use linguine, fettuccine, penne, rotini, or a different pasta shape instead. Whole-wheat pasta is another easy way to add more fiber.
  • Cannellini beans – Great Northern beans, navy beans, or chickpeas would all work really well in this recipe.
  • Cherry tomatoes – If you don’t have cherry tomatoes on hand, toss in grape tomatoes or chopped Roma tomatoes instead.
  • Capers – Feel free to swap in chopped green olives for a similar salty, briny flavor.
  • Parsley – Fresh basil would also be delicious here, especially if you want to lean into the Mediterranean vibes.
  • Vegan feta – You can use regular feta if you eat dairy, or skip it altogether for a lighter pasta.
  • Red pepper flakes – If you prefer a milder dish, leave out the red pepper flakes or use a little less. Alternatively, sprinkle in some extra if you like a mini kick.
  • Italian seasoning – Use a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme if you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand.
  • Add more veggies – Sautéed zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, or broccoli would all be delicious additions!

Quick recipe tips

  • Don’t forget to save some of the pasta water before draining! The starchy water helps the sauce stick to the noodles.
  • Give the Swiss chard time to wilt before adding the other ingredients so that it can fully soften.
  • Taste the pasta after everything is tossed together and adjust the seasonings from there, especially since the capers and vegan feta can add extra salt.

Step-by-step instructions

  • Swiss Chard Pasta
  • Swiss Chard Pasta
  • Cook the pasta: Boil the spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  • Sauté the chard: Heat olive oil in a large skillet and cook the chopped Swiss chard for 3-4 minutes, until wilted.
  • Swiss Chard Pasta
  • Swiss Chard Pasta
  • Add other ingredients: Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add the capers, beans, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Toss everything together: Add the spaghetti and toss to combine, adding pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
  • Finish and serve: Stir in the parsley, adjust the seasoning, and serve with vegan feta if desired.

Make ahead & storage

This Swiss Chard Pasta is super easy to make ahead and stores well in the fridge, making it a great choice for meal prep. Here are a few tips for prepping, storing, and reheating it.

Meal prep

  • Prep the vegetables: Chop the Swiss chard, garlic, parsley, and tomatoes up to 1-2 days ahead and store them separately in the fridge.
  • Cook the pasta: You can cook the spaghetti ahead of time, but toss it with a little olive oil to keep the noodles from sticking.
  • Make the full recipe: Prepare the pasta completely up to 4 days in advance and refrigerate until ready to eat.

Storing leftovers

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Reheating: Warm in the microwave or in a skillet with a splash of water or broth as needed.
  • Add toppings later: If you’re using vegan feta, hold off on adding it until right before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

  • Freeze for later: Store cooled pasta in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat from frozen: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat with a splash of water or broth to bring the sauce back together.
Swiss Chard Pasta

FAQ

Sure! Linguine, fettuccine, penne, or rotini would all work well in this recipe. Whole-wheat pasta is also a great option if you want to add more fiber.

Yes, as long as you use vegan feta or skip the feta altogether.

Save some of the pasta water! When you’re reheating leftovers, add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and bring back some of its smooth texture.

Yes. Simply use a gluten-free spaghetti or another gluten-free pasta in place of regular spaghetti.

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Swiss Chard Pasta
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5 from 3 votes

Easy Swiss Chard Pasta with White Beans

If you have 30 minutes, you have enough time to make this easy Swiss Chard Pasta! It’s packed with greens, white beans, tomatoes, and Mediterranean flavors for a nutritious and delicious dinner.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 460kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 bunch Swiss chard stems removed, thinly sliced, and leaves chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup capers
  • 1 cup parsley chopped
  • 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt plus more for cooking pasta
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup vegan feta optional, for topping

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Swiss chard and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until wilted.
  • Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
  • Add the capers, cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
  • Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss thoroughly to combine. Pour in reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
  • Stir in the chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Serve topped with feta, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 11g | Fiber: 7g

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4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve never tried Swiss chard but decided to grab a bunch from the store to try this pasta. This dish was so easy to make and surprisingly delicious! It was healthy and light but also so filling and flavorful. Officially a fan of Swiss chard now– thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    1. This makes me so happy to hear! Swiss chard is such an underrated veggie, and I love that this recipe turned you into a fan. Thanks so much for trying it and coming back to share!

      Reply

  3. 5 stars
    Loved it! Swiss chard is one of my favorite vegetables and it worked so well in this pasta. Very easy and fast to make too. I used parmesan instead of feta, added oregano, and skipped red pepper flakes.

    Reply