Rigatoni with Swiss Chard and Bell Peppers

Brighten up your pasta night with this delicious Rigatoni with Swiss Chard and Bell Peppers recipe! Bursting with vibrant colors and fresh flavors, this dish combines tender rigatoni with sweet red and yellow bell peppers, nutrient-rich Swiss chard, and a hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. Tossed in a light, garlicky olive oil sauce and finished with freshly grated Parmesan and a splash of zesty lemon juice, this one-pan wonder is both comforting and wholesome. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that balances hearty indulgence with a dose of vegetables. Serve it with a crisp side salad or some toasty garlic bread for a complete, irresistible meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta
• 1 bunch Swiss chard
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 0 to taste kosher salt
• 0 to taste black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the Swiss chard by rinsing thoroughly, trimming the stems, and cutting the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

Step 3

Slice the red and yellow bell peppers into thin strips.

Step 4

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the bell pepper strips to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.

Step 7

Stir in the Swiss chard and cook for 3-5 minutes, until it wilts and becomes tender.

Step 8

Add the crushed red pepper flakes, a pinch of kosher salt, and black pepper to taste.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet. Toss to combine.

Step 10

Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, to loosen the sauce and help coat the pasta evenly.

Step 11

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice, mixing until everything is well combined and creamy.

Step 12

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 13

Serve the rigatoni hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1008.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1554.6

Total Fat 79.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 94.8mg	0%
Sodium 2794.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 140.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.3g	0%
Total Sugars 10.2g
Protein 71.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1459.5mg	0%
Iron 9.4mg	0%
Potassium 1707.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.7%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 35.9%