Best Creamy Spinach Rigatoni Bake Recipes

BAKED RICOTTA AND SPINACH RIGATONI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook rigatoni for 5 minutes in a pot of boiling, salted water. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
• To make the bechamel sauce:
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and add the shallots and garlic. Sweat the shallots and garlic for a few minutes until softened and but not colored. Add the flour and stir until a smooth paste forms. Gradually whisk in the wine and then the milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, to taste. Let cool slightly.
• Transfer cooled bechamel to a large mixing bowl and add the spinach, ricotta, and eggs. Mix in rigatoni and transfer to a greased 9 by13-inch baking dish. Top with grated mozzarella. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until cheese is lightly browned on top, the center is no longer runny, and the sides are bubbly.

CREAMY ZUCCHINI & SPINACH RIGATONI

Steps:

• HEAT oven to 375ºF.
• COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt.
• MEANWHILE, heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add zucchini, mushrooms and garlic; cook and stir 3 to 4 minute or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Add flour and seasonings; cook and stir 1 minute Stir in broth; cook and stir 2 to 3 minute or until thickened. Add Neufchatel; cook and stir 2 to 3 minute or until melted.
• DRAIN pasta; return to pan. Add zucchini mixture, spinach, Parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella; mix lightly. Spoon into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining mozzarella.
• BAKE 10 minute or until mozzarella is melted.
• Preparing Perfect Pasta: Follow the package directions to ensure that enough water is used for cooking the pasta. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente (tender but still a little firm to the bite), stirring frequently. To prevent pasta from sticking, add it slowly to plenty of boiling water and stir frequently while cooking. Adding oil to the cooking water is not recommended because some sauces may not cling to pasta coated with oil.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve with fresh fruit and a side salad to round out the meal.
• Nutrition Information Per Serving: 330 calories, 13g total fat, 8g saturated fat, 40mg cholesterol, 450mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate, 3g dietary fiber, 3g sugars, 18g protein, 45%DV vitamin A, 15%DV vitamin C, 35%DV calcium, 15%DV iron.

CREAMY SPINACH AND CHICKEN RIGATONI

Steps:

• Place the flour in a large saucepan over medium heat, and gradually whisk in the milk.
• Bring to a boil and whisk in the chili powder, salt, and pepper.
• Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture slightly thickens, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil until hot but not smoking over medium heat.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for about 1 minute.
• Add the chicken and cook until slightly browned, about 3 minutes.
• Add the spinach, stirring to coat.
• Stir in the milk mixture, cheddar, and parmesan and cook until the cheddar has melted and the chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes longer.
• Meanwhile, cook the rigatoni in boiling water until just tender.
• Drain well.
• Transfer chicken mixture to a large bowl, add the rigatoni, and toss to combine.
• Spoon the pasta mixture onto plates and serve.

CREAMY RIGATONI FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; saute chicken until no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate. Add mushrooms to skillet; saute until mushrooms are tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic; saute until fragrant and golden, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir spaghetti sauce, half-and-half, and Italian seasoning into mushroom mixture; cook and stir over medium heat until sauce thickens, 10 to 15 minutes. Mix cooked chicken and spinach into sauce and cook until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Stir pasta into sauce and add mozzarella cheese; stir until cheese melts. Garnish dish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

CREAMY ZUCCHINI & SPINACH RIGATONI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add zucchini, mushrooms and garlic; cook 3 to 4 min. or until zucchini is crisp-tender, stirring frequently. Add flour and seasonings; cook and stir 1 min. Stir in broth; cook 2 to 3 min. or until thickened, stirring frequently. Add Neufchatel; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until melted.
• Drain pasta. Add to zucchini mixture along with the spinach, Parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella; mix lightly. Spoon into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining mozzarella.
• Bake 10 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

CREAMY SPINACH TUNA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain noodles as directed on package.
• In 12-inch skillet, heat soup and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese over medium heat until cheese is melted. Stir in cooked noodles, tuna, spinach, milk and lemon peel; heat until bubbly. Spoon mixture into casserole.
• Unroll dough; firmly press perforations to seal. Sprinkle dough with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Starting at short side, roll up dough; pinch seam to seal. Using serrated knife, cut roll into 8 slices. Place slices, cut side up, on top of tuna mixture.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until filling is bubbly and dough is deep golden brown.

CREAMY SPINACH & RIGATONI BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Cook rigatoni according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings; wipe skillet clean., In same pan, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until blended; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese blend until melted., Stir in artichokes, spinach and pancetta. Drain rigatoni; add to cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese., Bake, uncovered, until golden brown and bubbly, 20-25 minutes.