This classic, plant-based recipe is based on two cool weather staples: beets and Swiss chard. Beets are famously bright red, however other varieties include golden beets, which are a deep yellow-orange shade. Swiss chard can be colorful, with deep green leaves, and multi-colored, rainbow-hued stems. Available year round in many growing regions, these colorful plants are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds.

The beans add even more fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as well as protein. This recipe is inspired by the classic Italian food pairing of greens, beans, and pasta. It’s like a plant-based combination made in heaven! This recipe for Golden Beets and Chard with White Beans and Penne is completely plant-based (vegan), and you can easily make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.

In just 20 minutes, you can get this meal-in-one, budget-friendly recipe on the table.

It’s based on only 8 ingredients (not including pantry staples), many of which (beans, pasta, garlic, onions, oregano) can be stored in your kitchen. Just add the fresh, seasonal ingredients of beets, chard, and lemon, and you have a wonderful one-dish meal for your busiest nights of the week. I turn to this recipe all the time, because I grow chard in my California garden all winter long. It’s one of the easiest vegetables to grow, and gives back such a rich nutrition bonus.

I also have beets growing each year. You can swap different types of chard or even spinach or mustard greens for the chard, and you can swap golden beets for red beets, if you prefer. You can also try different beans, such a kidney beans, black beans, or chickpeas. Rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, this is a plant-powered meal that keeps giving back.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Chop the vegetables. Heat olive oil in a saute pan. Saute beets, onions, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Add lemon juice and lemon zest. Add chard. Add oregano. Rinse beans.

Add beans. Add cooked pasta. Enjoy! Print

Golden Beets and Chard with White Beans and Penne

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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5 from 3 reviews

• Author: The Plant-Powered Dietitian
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Diet: Vegan

Description

This easy, delicious, colorful, nutrition-packed, plant-based recipe for Golden Beets and Chard with White Beans and Penne can be created in 20 minutes with only 8 ingredients.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces penne pasta, whole grain
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bunch fresh golden beets (about 4 medium), trimmed, thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch sea salt
• 1/2 lemon, juiced and zested
• 1/4 cup reserved pasta cooking water
• 1 bunch Swiss chard, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1 (15-ounce) can white beans, (i.e., cannelloni or navy), rinsed, drained

Optional:

• 1/2 cup Vegan Cashew Parmesan

Instructions

1. Fill a medium pot half full with water and bring to a boil.

   Add pasta and cook just to al dente stage, according to package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Return to pot and cover to keep warm.

2. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan or skillet. Add beets, onions, and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes.
3. Add pepper, salt, lemon juice and zest, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, and sauté for about 13 minutes, until beets are tender yet slightly crisp.
4. Add Swiss chard, oregano, and beans.

   Cover and cook for about 3 minutes, until chard is just barely wilted, but bright green.

5. Stir in cooked pasta and serve with Vegan Cashew Parmesan, if desired.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Entree
• Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 231
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 278 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 10 g

Keywords: beet, char, red char, penne, pasta

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Check out some of my favorite plant-based pasta dishes:

Baked Mediterranean Lasagna
Pasta with Marinara and Roasted Vegetables
Mushroom Bomb Lentil Pasta
Lemony Garden Peas with Pasta
Pasta with Rapini, Fava, and Mushrooms
Vegan Pasta with Creamy Spinach Ricotta Sauce

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