Brown Butter Chard Tagliatelle with Miso-Walnut Crunch
Category
Main Course
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Style
American
Technique
Boiling
Diet Friendly
Vegetarian
Daily Recipe: March 30, 2026
This pasta leans into early-spring American flavors with a less-predictable, restauranty twist: silky ribbons of chard, sweet shallots, browned butter, toasted walnuts, lemon, and a spoonful of white miso for savory depth. The result is cozy enough for a slightly cool day but bright and green enough to feel seasonal, with glossy noodles and jewel-toned stems that photograph beautifully.
Ingredients (for 2)
- Large bunch chard - 1 large bunch - stems separated and thinly sliced, leaves cut into ribbons
- Tagliatelle or fettuccine - 6 oz
- Medium shallot - 1 medium - finely sliced
- Garlic clove - 1 clove - finely grated
- Walnuts - 1/3 cup - roughly chopped
- Unsalted butter - 2 tbsp
- White miso - 1 tbsp
- Pecorino romano or parmesan - 1/4 cup, plus more for serving - grated
- Lemon - 1 - zested (1 tsp) and juiced (1 tbsp)
- Crushed red pepper flakes - 1/4 tsp
- Chives - 2 tbsp - chopped
- Reserved pasta water - 1/3 cup, plus more as needed - reserved
- Olive oil - 1 tbsp
- Kosher salt - 1/2 tsp, plus more for pasta water
- Freshly ground black pepper - 1/4 tsp - freshly ground
Preparation
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Step 1 - π§π«π₯¬Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Separate the chard stems from the leaves, thinly slice the stems, and cut the leaves into ribbons.
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Step 2 - π°π³β¨Heat a large skillet over medium heat and toast the walnuts for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly browned. Transfer to a small bowl.
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Step 3 - π§π§πΆοΈIn the same skillet, melt the butter and cook until deep golden and nutty. Stir in the white miso until smooth, then add the olive oil, shallot, chard stems, and red pepper flakes.
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Step 4 - π§ π₯β±οΈCook for about 3 minutes until the shallot softens and the chard stems are glossy. Add the grated garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
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Step 5 - ππ¦βAdd the tagliatelle or fettuccine to the boiling water and cook until just shy of al dente. Reserve at least 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
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Step 6 - π₯¬ππ₯Add the chard leaves to the skillet and toss for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
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Step 7 - ππ§π₯£Add the drained pasta to the skillet with 1/3 cup reserved pasta water and the grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan. Toss over low heat until the sauce is glossy and coats the noodles, adding more pasta water if needed.
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Step 8 - π°βοΈπ§Stir in half of the toasted walnuts and half of the chopped chives. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
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Step 9 - π½οΈπΏπ€Divide the pasta into bowls and top with the remaining walnuts, remaining chives, extra cheese, and a final crack of black pepper.
Additional
For even more spring character, add a handful of thawed peas with the chard leaves. If you want extra richness, top each bowl with a jammy egg. For the best Instagram moment, use rainbow chard so the stems bring pops of magenta, gold, and pink against the glossy noodles.