The Pioneer Woman Tasty Kitchen
Profile Photo

Swiss Chard & Sun-Dried Tomato Skillet Mac

4.75 Mitt(s) 12 Rating(s)12 votes, average: 4.75 out of 512 votes, average: 4.75 out of 512 votes, average: 4.75 out of 512 votes, average: 4.75 out of 512 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5

Prep:

Cook:

Level: Easy

System:

6
x

Print Options

Page size Letter 3x5 4x6
Text Size Small Medium Large
Content Include description
Include prep time, etc.
Show image

Description

Trying desperately to justify mac and cheese. I think the greens help.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces, weight Small Whole Wheat Pasta (shells, Elbow, Etc.)
  • 1 whole Bunch Swiss Chard
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 cup Chopped Onion
  • 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 3 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour
  • ¼ cups Homemade Sun-dried Tomato Pesto (in Recipe Box)
  • 1 cup Plain Yogurt
  • 1 cup Crumbled Feta Or Goat Cheese
  • ½ cups Shredded Parmesan Or Romano Cheese

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Throw in about a tablespoon of salt, then add the pasta. Cook until al dente, according to package directions. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.

Preheat your oven broiler.

Meanwhile, separate the chard spines from the leaves, chop both, but keep them separated. In a large oven-proof skillet heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add chopped chard stems and onions. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 3-4 minutes, then add the garlic. Cook another 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Add chopped chard greens and stir, cooking, until mostly wilted (another 2-3 minutes). Stir in flour and cook another minute. Add pesto, yogurt, feta, reserved cooked pasta, and about a 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Stir and cook until everything is heated through and begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes. Add more pasta water if you feel it’s too thick. Mixture should be rather thick, but still saucy. Not watery.

Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the pasta and place skillet under the preheated broiler for about 5 minutes or until it starts to brown slightly. Remove from the oven and serve. We enjoyed it with a big green salad.

Makes about 6-8 servings.

Nat’s Notes:
You could definitely use kale or any other kind of greens in place of the Swiss chard. Because you probably won’t be using the stems of other types of greens, I’d use two bundles to compensate for the lack of bulk the chard stems provided.

6 Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Profile photo of Libby

Libby on 2.5.2011

I made this for dinner tonight and everything about it was perfect, down to the way the fats became almost meat-like. I am a veggie fiend, so I used about two bunches of chard. I want to eat this every single day. Thanks a bunch!

Profile photo of thegoodwifesacookin

thegoodwifesacookin on 7.30.2010

Oh…and my husband pretty much requests meat in every meal…so we added 1/2 lb of sausage for him. And I premade this the day before, so I put it in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes and it was wonderful. :)

Profile photo of candykettle

candykettle on 6.23.2010

This dish is awesome Natalie. My swiss chard bright lights is ready in my garden and it worked out perfect! My 15 yr old (who is a big mac and cheese fan) loved it also….it’s a keeper! On to the next pesto recipe….I think it may be the tuna melt.

Profile photo of tiffgriff

tiffgriff on 6.23.2010

This looks delicious! It will be going on the grocery list!

Profile photo of milkwithknives

milkwithknives on 6.21.2010

I am on it like a cheap suit. Haven’t had macaroni and cheese in ages, but your gorgeous picture has reeled me back in.

12 Reviews

You must be logged in to post a review.

Profile photo of AndreaDW

AndreaDW on 12.1.2015

This was excellent! I used sundried tomatoes (not pesto) and added some bok choi along with the chard. My 10 month old enjoyed it too. I will make this again.

Profile photo of Lara

Lara on 2.4.2013

We loved this recipe! Warm and inviting on a cold winter night. I used Kale. Next time may add some spinach to it for extra greens. It was quick and very easy to make! Thanks for the great recipe!!!

Profile photo of Sharon

Sharon on 4.7.2012

SO GOOD! I used kale when I made this and it was so tasty! This is a great lightened up version and you don’t miss the added fat.

Profile photo of cilegna

cilegna on 3.3.2012

Delicious!

Profile photo of Danka

Danka on 4.5.2011

My family liked this a lot. I didn’t mention the chard to my hubby, I just served it and no one seemed to care because it was so good.
I didn’t have all the ingredients to make the pesto, so I just threw in a few sun dried tomatoes chopped. They added great texture.

Related Recipes

Cauliflower Tabbouleh (Keto, Gluten-Free)
Profile Photo by Kendall Smith in Special Dietary Needs
You say tabouli, I say tabbouleh! This Cauliflower Tabbouleh is based...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 6 Level: Easy


Keto Broccoli Bacon Salad
Profile Photo by Blondelish.com in Special Dietary Needs
Creamy lemon dressing, crunchy broccoli, and crispy bacon make this Keto Broccoli...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 6 Level: Easy


0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 9 Level: Easy


Vegan Lentil Burger
Profile Photo by AD Kitchen in Special Dietary Needs
Today's recipe is amazing Vegan Lentil Burgers that tastes like regular...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 7 Level: Easy


Aunt Rocky’s Easy Sweetbreads (Low Carb, Gluten Free)
Profile Photo by Roxana Lopez in Special Dietary Needs
A simplified method, with delicious results! Sweetbreads are a nutrient...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 3 Level: Easy