This Rigatoni Chard Toss comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! The best part? You can totally switch up the veggies or add a protein to suit your tastes, making it the perfect recipe to use up what you have on hand. It’s one of those go-to recipes that’s just ideal for cleaning out the fridge and whipping up a delectable dinner in no time!
Ingredient Breakdown
- 12 oz rigatoni
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Directions:
Cook the Rigatoni: Start by cooking the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes. Make sure to salt your water; it helps flavor the pasta! Once cooked, reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, trust me, you need this for the sauce later!
Sauté the Veggies: While the pasta cooks, heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s hot, toss in the Swiss chard and sliced onion. Cook and stir for about 4 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent and the chard begins to wilt.
Add Garlic: Next, stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 2 minutes, until fragrant, nothing beats the smell of garlic wafting through your kitchen!
Mix in the Goodies: Now add the chopped tomatoes, rinsed cannellini beans, salt, crushed red pepper flakes, crushed fennel seeds, and black pepper. Cook this mixture for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chard is tender and the tomatoes break down into a lovely sauce.
Combine Everything: Drain the rigatoni, and add it directly to the skillet along with the reserved pasta water and basil. Toss everything together until well combined, and cook for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve and Top: Spoon into bowls and top with fresh grated parmesan cheese. Serve warm and watch your family dive in!
If you loved this Rigatoni Chard Toss, be sure to check out my Bloody Mary Soup with Beans, my Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, or my Easy Tuscan Chicken and Beans!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This Rigatoni Chard Toss comes together so quickly, under 30 minutes total! Seriously, you can whip this up faster than you can order takeout!
One Pot
One pot means minimal cleanup, which is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! It’s like magic; you get all the flavors in one skillet without the hassle of using multiple pots and pans.
Customizable
The best part of this dish? You can tailor it to fit your family’s preferences! Got leftover veggies? Toss them in. Feel free to add chicken, sausage, or even a sprinkle of nuts for a crunch.
Comfort Food
This dish is a total comfort food classic! Loaded with tons of flavor and packed with veggies, it’s satisfying without being heavy. No one can resist a big bowl of pasta!
Serving Suggestions
Pair this Rigatoni Chard Toss with a simple side salad or some crusty garlic bread to soak up all those tasty flavors. It’s delicious on its own, but a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon can elevate it to a whole new level of yum.
Storage:
Leftovers? Yes, please! This dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure to let it cool completely before sealing it up tightly.
Reheating Instructions:
To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave until warmed through, add a splash of water to keep it from drying out. Alternatively, you can reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Freezer Friendly
Got extras? You can freeze this, too! Just forgo the cheese until you’re ready to heat it up again. Pop it in a freezer-safe container, and it will keep for a good month!
This is my go-to recipe when I need to pull something together quickly, and, I must say, my family absolutely loves it! I’m a real sucker for dishes that not only taste amazing but are also so quick to make. You know that feeling when you have no idea what to cook, and then you whip up something this good? Yeah, that’s exactly how this Rigatoni Chard Toss makes me feel! Plus, it’s a great way to use whatever you’ve got on hand, which is always a win in my kitchen!
Cooking is such a joy, especially when it’s something everyone will enjoy. And really, who wouldn’t want to dig into a bowl of this colorful and flavorful Rigatoni Chard Toss? It’s comfort on a plate, and I hope you give it a try soon, you’ll be hooked, I promise! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Quick and Easy Rigatoni Chard Toss
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A bright and delicious Rigatoni Chard Toss that comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal for the family.
Ingredients
- 12 oz rigatoni
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Swiss chard and sliced onion, cooking for about 4 minutes until soft.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add chopped tomatoes, rinsed cannellini beans, salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
- Drain rigatoni and add to the skillet with reserved pasta water and basil. Toss everything together and cook for another minute.
- Spoon into bowls and top with fresh grated parmesan cheese. Serve warm.
Notes
Feel free to customize the veggies or add a protein to suit your taste. This recipe works great for cleaning out the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 5mg