Caramelized Onion Pasta with Greens

This caramelized onion pasta with greens and bacon is a great way to use whatever greens you have on hand! Salty bacon and sweet caramelized onions combine for a great main meal or side dish ready in 30 minutes.

We’ve had almost every dark green leafy vegetable that summer could possibly produce come into our kitchen via the CSA box.

Before beets greens there was lacinato kale. There was also red chard, Swiss chard, and rainbow chard.

It’s been quite interesting… did you know that the LEAVES of the broccoli plant are edible? And guess how you cook them – just like every other green!

Coming up with a staple recipe that could handle any type of greens quickly became my top priority. Otherwise, a good chunk of my money would be going into the compost pile every week.

Besides, I needed a plan for all the frozen beet greens in my freezer.

I went in search of recipe inspiration and found everything from onions and butter to bacon and vinegar…I was practically drooling on my keyboard.

So I put all the best ideas into this caramelized onion pasta with greens.

Judging by the way Mr. Crumbs was shoveling the last bite on his plate into his mouth to make room for a second helping, I’d say we have a winner!

CARAMELIZED ONION PASTA WITH GREENS

I’ve decided to call this dish caramelized onion pasta with greens.

It’s not the most creative, but it’s accurate. And this meal is way good, so feel free to call it whatever you want. “Yum in a bowl” works too.

• Comfort food. Like Creamy Squash Pasta Bake is comfort food in the winter, caramelized onions pasta with greens is comfort food anytime. The saltiness of the bacon contrasts with the sweetness of the caramelized onions for a perfect combination.
• Simple ingredients. With just a few simple ingredients you likely have on hand, you can whip this up any time!
• Prevents food waste. Use up the greens you weren’t sure what to do with, whether you bought too many at the store or got something new in your CSA box.
• Quick fill-in meal. It’s one of those recipes you can turn to when you’re in a pinch for a quick meal or when everything in the fridge looks unappetizing.
• Easy. This is seriously one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make! This recipe can be made with one hand tied behind your back…or for some of you, while you’re nursing a baby, answering the phone, or untangling toddlers from beneath your legs.

PASTA AND CARAMELIZED ONION RECIPE INGREDIENTS

Do you see the goodness in that bowl?

• Bacon. Everything’s better with bacon! You can reduce the amount of bacon (or even omit it). Keep in mind that you want that bacon flavor, so be sure to start with a couple of tablespoons of bacon grease to caramelize the onions.
• Yellow Onions. Thin slices caramelized in savory bacon grease to make a vegetable so sweet, it could be served for dessert. White onions work too, but I’d avoid red onions for this recipe. They don’t tend to get as sweet.
• Butter or bacon grease (optional). Use olive oil for vegan greens and onions.
• Greens. If you’re new to dark leafy greens, chard has the mildest flavor of them all. Beet greens have the strongest flavor, and kale falls in the middle. If your family loves greens, feel free to double the quantity!
• Pasta. We’ve tried caramelized onion pasta with spaghetti, farfalle, elbow noodles, and small shells – you really can’t go wrong. If you have a few different types of pasta to use up, you can mix them here! For a gluten-free version of this caramelized onion recipe, use any gluten-free pasta.
• Simple seasonings. Garlic powder, salt, and black pepper are all you need for great flavor. You can add fresh herbs as desired if you have them on hand.

Psst! Not all salts are made the same! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!).

HOW TO MAKE CARAMALIZED ONION PASTA

Step 1. In a heavy-bottomed skillet, cook the bacon until almost crispy. Remove bacon from the pan but leave the grease. Add sliced onions and cook over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2. Meanwhile, prepare pasta al dente in a large pot according to package instructions. Drain pasta water.

Step 3. Add the greens and cook until the onions are caramelized and the greens are wilted and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Add butter or additional bacon grease if the onion mixture seems dry.

Step 4. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 5. Add the finished onions, chard, and bacon to the pasta and stir well to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Store leftover caramelized onion pasta and greens in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you find your pasta is a bit dry out of the fridge, drizzle in a bit of chicken broth or butter when reheating.

TIPS FOR ONION PASTA WITH GREENS

• This caramalized onion pasta recipe is just enough for dinner for a family of four. If you want leftovers or have hearty eaters, double the recipe. Feel free to leave the amount of bacon the same – just add more bacon grease to start.
• If you’re feeling fancy, add a couple of shavings of Parmesan cheese or a few tablespoons of heavy cream to create a creamy sauce. Totally optional, of course, but rich and indulgent for sure!
• Add more veggies! Sliced mushrooms, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, or even chopped green beans would be yummy in this dish.
• Swap out the meat. Try Italian sausage instead of bacon (use butter or olive oil to cook the greens).
• If you’d like a vegan onion pasta with greens, just omit the bacon and cook with olive oil.

SERVE WITH CARAMELIZED ONION PASTA

We like to serve this as a main dish along with bread or a side salad. It’s the perfect amount for our family! Try it with these:

• Homemade Focaccia and Kale Caesar Salad
• Cloud Dinner Rolls and the Best Kale Salad
• Rosemary Sea Salt Flatbread and Waldorf Dinner Salad
• Crostini and Spinach Salad with Apples and Cranberries

It’s also great to serve as a side dish with your favorite protein. These would be yummy:

• Almond Crusted Chicken
• Balsamic Roast Beef
• Blackened Salmon
• Maple Glazed Pork Chops

BACON AND PASTA MACRO TRACKING

Can I really eat pasta with caramelized onions and bacon when I’m tracking my macros?

Absolutely!

No food is off-limits here.

This dish contains fat and protein from the bacon, but how you fill the rest of your plate to fit your macros is up to you.

Need more protein? Serve the caramelized onion pasta as a side dish with a portion of lean protein, like chicken breast, boneless skinless chicken thighs, steak, or fish.

Have room for more carbs? Add a side of your favorite whole-grain bread, brown rice, or sweet potatoes.

You’ll likely have enough fat from the bacon grease or butter you use to cook the onions and greens, but if you have room for more, freshly grated Parmesan cheese is delicious on these greens!

Fill out your plate with low-carb produce like broccoli, asparagus, berries, or a yummy side salad and you’re all set!

CARAMELIZED ONIONS PASTA FAQS

MORE DELICIOUS PASTA DISHES

• Skillet Pizza Veggie Pasta
• Pasta Primavera
• Creamy Mushroom Pasta
• Italian Pasta Salad
• Cheesy Lentil Pasta
• Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

WATCH HOW TO MAKE SAVORY PASTA WITH GREENS