This creamy Swiss chard pasta is one of those weeknight dinners that feels far more special than the effort it takes. Sweet raisins, toasted almonds and a silky cream-and-cheese sauce turn a humble bunch of greens into something irresistible.

Fresh chard works beautifully here, though bagged chard leaves are a fine shortcut, and spaghetti can easily be swapped for tagliatelle or macaroni. The raisins balance the pleasant bitterness of the greens while the almonds add a little crunch.

Ingredients for Creamy Swiss Chard Pasta
This makes 2 servings.
- 400 g fresh Swiss chard
- 75 g onion
- 40 g raisins
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt
- 20 g toasted almonds
- 180 ml cooking cream
- Ground black pepper
- 30 g grated Grana Padano cheese
- 150 g spaghetti

How to Make Creamy Swiss Chard Pasta Step by Step
1. Prep the chard, onion and raisins
Clean and cut 400 g of fresh Swiss chard. Wash it very well and separate the stalks from the leaves. Remove the outer fibers from the stalks and cut them into small squares, then chop the leaves into even pieces. Finely chop 75 g of onion and soak 40 g of raisins in a bowl of water.

2. Sauté the onion with the chard stalks
Put a pot over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook for about 3 minutes. Then add the chard stalks, mix well and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Add the chard leaves
Next, add the chard leaves, mix them well into the pot, add another pinch of salt and let them cook for about 3 to 4 minutes with the pot covered.

4. Stir in the almonds and raisins
Now add 20 g of toasted almonds and the raisins, well drained from their soaking water, and mix them into the pot.

5. Make the cream and cheese sauce
Next, add 180 ml of cooking cream and ground black pepper to taste, mix and cook for 2 minutes. Then add 30 g of grated Grana Padano cheese, mix again and let it cook for 2 more minutes. The sauce for the Swiss chard pasta is now ready.

6. Cook the spaghetti
Now cook 150 g of spaghetti. Put a pot of water over high heat and, once it starts to boil, add salt and the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti over medium-high heat for the time indicated on the package, which in this case was 9 minutes.

7. Combine the pasta with the sauce and serve
Add the spaghetti to the pot with the sauce, mix everything together well and this Swiss chard pasta is ready to serve.

Tips for the Best Creamy Swiss Chard Pasta
Choose your greens and pasta
Fresh chard gives the best texture, but packaged chard that contains only the leaves is a convenient alternative. Spaghetti works great, and tagliatelle or macaroni are equally good options for this dish.
Balance the flavors
The raisins soften the natural bitterness of the chard, while the toasted almonds add a pleasant crunch. Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the salt and black pepper if needed.
Keep the sauce creamy
Cooking cream and Grana Padano are what make this sauce so silky, so add the cheese at the end and stir gently. Serve the pasta right away, while the sauce is still loose and glossy.
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 25 minutes |
| Total time | 40 minutes |
| Servings | 2 |
| Category | Starter |
| Cuisine | Italian |
| Calories | 726 calories per serving |
30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a rotation that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.
Some nights I want something luxuriously rich, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I'm after something fruity and soothing, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.
For mornings that call for something easy and for lighter plates, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever I need a gluten-free staple for the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.
When tapas and Mediterranean cooking are calling, I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion feels a bit more special.
Hearty midday meals and comforting suppers? These are the ones I'm always recommending: this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.
Street-food cravings and party spreads usually lead me to this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crackly Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a quick appetizer or snack.
And when I'm hosting and putting together drinks alongside a full menu, I'll often serve dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring the whole table together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.
Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for Your Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes boil down to three things: straightforward methods, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.
Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more celebratory for friends and family.
On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.
When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually make the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, more filling meals, I frequently point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.
I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots in other countries, such as the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.
Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it cuts down on time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.
And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.
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