My grandma never threw away the tops. She turned them into the silkiest, most tender pasta dinner with just butter and what most people toss in the trash.

This slow cooker 3-ingredient poor man beet green noodles recipe is inspired by the way thrifty grandmas refused to waste anything. Instead of tossing beet tops in the trash, they turned those ruby-streaked greens into the silkiest, most comforting pasta dinner with nothing more than butter and a bag of noodles. It’s the kind of simple, practical dish you throw together on a busy weeknight or at the end of the week when you’ve got a bunch of beet greens from the garden or the farmers’ market. Everything cooks low and slow right in the slow cooker, so the greens turn tender and mild, and the egg noodles soak up all that golden, buttery goodness.

Serve these beet green noodles straight from the slow cooker in wide bowls with a grind of black pepper if you like. They pair nicely with simple sides like sliced tomatoes, cucumber salad, or steamed green beans. For a heartier plate, add roasted chicken, pan-fried sausage, or leftover meatloaf on the side. A slice of crusty bread or buttered toast is great for scooping up any buttery bits at the bottom of the pot.

Servings: 4

8 cups loosely packed beet greens with tender stems, rinsed well and chopped into bite-size pieces

Rinse the beet greens very well under cool running water, paying extra attention to the sandy parts near the stems. Shake off most of the water, then chop the leaves and tender stems into bite-size pieces. They don’t have to be perfect; just make sure there are no tough, woody stems.

Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with a small swipe of butter to help prevent sticking. This also makes cleanup easier later.

Scatter half of the chopped beet greens in an even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. They will look like a lot, but they cook down dramatically.

Add the uncooked wide egg noodles on top of the beet greens, spreading them out as evenly as you can. Don’t worry if some noodles fall down between the greens; they’ll all soften together.

Top the noodles with the remaining beet greens, spreading them over the surface so the noodles are mostly nestled between layers of greens.

Dot the top evenly with the chunks of butter, tucking a few pieces down into the greens and noodles so it melts throughout instead of just on top.

Pour the water gently around the edges and over the top, trying not to dislodge the layers too much. This small amount of liquid helps create steam so the noodles soften and the greens become silky.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper if using. You can always adjust the seasoning at the end, so start on the lighter side if you’re unsure.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the noodles are soft and the beet greens are very tender. About halfway through, quickly lift the lid and gently toss everything with tongs or a large spoon, pulling the bottom noodles up to the top so they all get coated in butter. Replace the lid promptly so you don’t lose too much heat.

When the noodles are tender and the beet greens look glossy and wilted with their pink stems still visible, give everything a final gentle toss to coat well in the melted butter. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Serve the beet green butter noodles hot, straight from the slow cooker. Spoon down to the bottom to catch all the buttery goodness and those silky greens. If the dish looks a bit dry, you can add a small knob of extra butter, cover for 5 minutes, and let it melt in before serving.

For picky eaters, you can chop the beet greens extra finely so they blend in more with the noodles, or start with half the amount of greens and gradually increase it each time you make the dish. A light sprinkle of grated Parmesan or mild shredded cheese on top right before serving can also help kids warm up to the greens. For extra richness, substitute part of the butter with a splash (1/4 cup) of cream added during the last 15 minutes of cooking. If you like a little brightness, squeeze a bit of lemon juice over each bowl to cut through the butter. To add protein without changing the simple spirit of the recipe, stir in cooked shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, or white beans at the end, just long enough to warm through. If you can’t find beet greens, you can use other sturdy greens like Swiss chard or turnip greens, but the color and flavor will be slightly different. Food safety tips: Always wash beet greens very thoroughly, as dirt and grit like to hide near the stems; changing the rinse water once or twice helps remove soil and any small insects. Trim and discard any slimy, yellowed, or mushy leaves before cooking. Keep the slow cooker covered while cooking to maintain a safe, steady temperature, and avoid leaving the finished dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Cool leftovers quickly, store them in a covered container in the refrigerator, and eat within 3–4 days, reheating until steaming hot before serving.