Pasta With Collard Greens and Onions Recipe (2024)

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Joe Napolitano

This is a great staple I make often. The greens can be substituted with anything on hand; escarole is traditional, but kale or chard are great too.
While sautéing the onion (shallot can be used too) add a splash of dry white wine.
To really make a meal of it I add a can of white cannellini beans.
Top with fresh parsley, black pepper and plenty of pecorino Romano.

Carolyn

Excellent suggestion to add cannellini beans. This recipe could be renamed "CSA Box Pasta", because it provides a delicious use for the abundant amount of greens we receive in our box each week.

Jane

Liked this a lot. Simple and delicious. Use only fresh collards. Don't make adding red pepper flakes an option. Add and enjoy.

Diane

I must say, this was one of the most enjoyable pasta dishes I've had in a long time. It was so light and very tasty. I wouldn't change a thing other than experiment with different types of pasta. I did add a drizzle of olive oil on top of the dish once the Parmesan was on. This was really quite simple and didn't require too much time.

sjd

My second or third time making this recipe and tweaked it some. I added white beans and a splash of white wine as others suggested, doubled the onion because my batch of farmers market collards was enormous, and lastly, added some agave syrup at the end when I found the collards still slightly bitter. Fantastic dish, both earthy and delicious.

Brendan

Followed my instincts and stewed the greens and onions a lot longer than the recipe called for, then finished by combining the greens and pasta in a hot pan and reducing with olive oil, lemon juice, a hit of white wine and pasta water. Result was beautiful, bright and just a little creamy. I can't see tossing it all together and serving it after 15-20 minutes; there's no way those greens are done.

Patrick

Added a couple tablespoons of yogurt to make for a richer sauce, quite nice

MaryG

This is one of my favorite dishes! It’s great as I, but I usually switch the onions to leeks (because they’re amazing), and add pine nuts at the end for protein. So good!

Theresa SF Bay Area

This was fantastic with butternut squash ravioli. Wow.

Framk

I make this often with collards, kale, or a combo of greens with chopped tomato or 2 to add more liquid when with onions are cooking.Also very good over rice or cooked grains.

Peter

This is probably the lightest pasta dish I've ever eaten, and it's absolutely delicious. For the pasta, I used red-lentil penne, which I bought from Trader Joe's. It gave this dish a shot of additional protein and allowed the subtle lentil flavors to come to the forefront.

Katty

Me too! But it would also work without them. Soo good!

LB

Exactly why I found this recipe!

condiment queen

High satisfaction to effort ratio. Cool collards for 10-15 minutes.

Ona Colasante

When the collard harvest is huge, I blanch and freeze them in ziplock bags. Martha Rose Schulman is my favorite cookbook writer. This is one of her many practical, delicious recipes that utilize what I grow. But her palate is too sensitive for me--I add MUCH more in the way of seasonings. And (as my Italian father said), "You never have too much garlic." Go for the cannellini beans, add some oregano, and use all your fresh garlic. I tossed these collards with home-made cavatelli--wonderful.

judys

We enjoyed this. I cut recipe in half for just two. I used a leek instead of onion, and homemade chicken broth instead of water to cook the collards. Otherwise followed exactly. Served with Alison Roman’s parsley and fennel salad and nice Italian white wine on deck. Lovely!

judys

Also, I sautéed some chanterelle mushrooms from the farmers market and put on top. Nice addition!!

Allyson Smith

Delicious. I added mushrooms that needed to be used up, but this would be delicious with or without that addition. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!!

Ken in Boise

As others have noted, a perfect, delicious recipe to use CSA greens…collards, kale, what have you. Adding some toasted pine nuts on top after plating provides a satisfying crunch. Tonight’s dish was also enhanced with a teaspoon or two of cranberry salsa macha….more crunch and spice! This is one of our favorite summer dishes.

Nathan

I like this recipe. I am a devoted collard green lover looking for a different way to enjoy my collards - using pasta was perfect. Simple, easy-to-execute recipe; I added a few favors, like two types of gluten-free pasta and sweet tomatoes. I plan to experiment with this dish using different vegetables, fresh herbs, and protein.

Sunny

Used chicken stock instead of water & pasta water( simply, I forgot to save it), which was just fine.It was delicious with BBQ’ed salmon. I made them twice already. Simple & tasty. Perfect.

Vicki K

great "home cooking" type dish that comes together easily. Added some leftover ham and used 8 ounces of pasta which made it a hearty main dish. Crushed red pepper keeps any blandness away. Definitely a keeper!

Jim

This has been a family favorite for years. We sometimes add a dab of anchovy paste while the collards are cooking. Delicious either way.

Sarah

This was really good, def longer than 35 minutes. Made w/ a few modifications: blanched the collards for 3 minutes, layered and put in the freezer to cool. Didn’t squeeze out the water, to keep nutrients, or add water when cooking. Doubled the garlic and red pepper flakes. Also added the white wine vinegar and chicken broth, as recommended. Cut up most of the stems in .5” pieces and added to the pasta water during the last few minutes. The 8oz of penne was more than enough pasta.

James

I thought this was fine. It was an easy quick weeknight dinner.

Peggie

I follow the recipe exactly and have prepared it many times. Easy and delicious!

Jo B

Very good. Added sausage (with onions). Needed a bit of sugar and added a bit of wine.

JanisV

So good! I added cannellini beans as suggested by others, plus a squeeze of lemon at the end. My only in-house pasta was orzo & I was a bit skeptical, but ended up great. Next time I’ll use 2 bunches of collards. Re: cooking time - followed recipe & didn’t need extra cooking time for greens & onions.

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Pasta With Collard Greens and Onions Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does adding vinegar to collard greens do? ›

When vinegar is added to collard greens, it helps to break down some of the tough fibers in the greens and tenderize them. Additionally, the acidity in the vinegar can help to enhance the flavors of other ingredients in the dish, such as onions, garlic, and smoked meats.

Do you have to soak collard greens before cooking? ›

Prepare the collard greens bath by filling your kitchen sink with cool water and adding vinegar and salt. Place the collard greens into the prepared water bath and swish them around several times, scrubbing them to help loosen up any dirt. Let the collard greens soak for 15-20 minutes, giving them a scrub midway.

What can I add to pasta to make it better? ›

1–6. Veggies
  1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
  2. Mushrooms. Mushrooms can bring a creamy taste and texture to pasta dishes, along with a host of health benefits. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Asparagus.
Apr 11, 2022

What can you add to canned collard greens to make them taste better? ›

If you find the flavor of canned collard greens to be lacking, you can add a few ingredients to liven them up. Some options include adding a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to add tanginess and spice.

Which vinegar is best for collard greens? ›

Apple cider vinegar: Collards can be notoriously bitter. The vinegar balances the flavor and removes the bitterness. Stone House Seasoning: My favorite house blend seasoning of garlic, salt, and pepper. Sugar: A little bit helps remove any bitterness from the collard greens while giving a slightly sweet flavor.

What takes the bitterness out of collards? ›

The foods that help reduce bitterness are: Salt while cooking and/or while eating (like on bitter salad greens) Sweet or Spicy. Sour or Acids like lemon or vinegar.

What is the best meat for collard greens? ›

The most authentic collard greens, in my opinion, are made with smoked ham hocks or bacon. But, as time has passed, society has gotten more health conscious. So, many families began using alternatives such as smoked turkey necks, wings, and tails.

Can you put too much water in collard greens? ›

Make sure you let the water drain out of you collard greens as much as possible. Too much water in your pot will ruin your greens.

Why does collard greens take so long to cook? ›

Long cooking time.

Slowly cooking collard greens not only softens the tough leaves, it also tames the leaves' bitter flavor.

What not to do when making pasta? ›

Cooking pasta: 5 mistakes
  1. Toss the pasta when the water is cold. This is probably the most common and also the most serious mistake you can make in cooking pasta. ...
  2. Using the wrong measure of salt. ...
  3. Cooking pasta in a small pot. ...
  4. Overcooking the pasta. ...
  5. Drain the pasta too much.
Sep 14, 2023

What can I put on pasta if I don't have sauce? ›

Simply melt butter and sprinkle in some garlic powder. Toss your spaghetti or favorite type of pasta in this delightful mixture to create a filling and appetizing meal. This is a great way to enjoy pasta on hot days, when a heavy pasta sauce is just too filling.

Do you drain canned collard greens? ›

Some people may like to drain off the liquid due to its sodium content, but that juice has a lot of the flavor from the greens in it. Just as you might reserve the water that you cooked greens in, it can be a good idea to keep about half of the liquid from the can to add to your pot.

What does baking soda do to collard greens? ›

Baking soda has infinite uses in cooking and beyond: It's a leavening agent, an odor neutralizer, and an antacid to name a few. In the case of collard greens, baking soda's utility is threefold, serving as a flavor enhancer, a tenderizer, and a color protector.

What goes with collard greens for dinner? ›

Collard greens are just another green side dish that can be served along side anything. Interchangeable with green beans or broccoli. Barbecued ribs, any other cut of barbecued pork, black-eyed peas & rice (Hoppin' John), candied yams, cornbread.

When should I add vinegar to my collard greens? ›

Cook for 30 to 45 minutes, then remove the lid, increase the heat to high, and add the vinegar and a teaspoon of hot sauce. Adjust the seasoning, if needed, then put it into a serving bowl.

Why do you soak greens in vinegar? ›

However, if you're looking for a green and cost-effective way to clean up that produce, our favorite way is to washing vegetables wiith vinegar and water. Research suggests that this simple trick can remove pesticides and kill up to 98% of bacteria.

Does vinegar take the bitterness out of greens? ›

Acids, like vinegar and citrus juice, help to brighten up bitter greens and provide a light contrasting flavor.

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