Cheesy Cheddar Orzo with Leeks & Chard
Forget what you think you know about “macaroni and cheese”; this grown-up style, cheesy pasta recipe features Parmesan, sharp white Cheddar and mascarpone alongside fresh greens and hearty, whole-wheat orzo.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for pasta.
- In the meantime, prepare chard by removing stems and cutting into 1/4-inch lengths. Cut leaves 1-inch lengthwise. Prepare leeks by removing tough green tops. Cut in half, lengthwise, rinse clean, and then across in 1/4-inch lengths.
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan with garlic and pepper flakes. Once garlic has become golden and fragrant, remove and discard. Sauté chard and leeks in oil, adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and allow to cook until swiss chard stems are tender.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, if necessary to loosen sauce.
- Toss hot pasta and greens together in the saucepan. Add cheeses, butter and milk. Stir to fully incorporate. Serve immediately.