Best Creamy Zucchini And Spinach Pasta Bake Recipes

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.

ZUCCHINI PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta, cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until al dente, and drain. Lightly grease a medium casserole dish.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a blender or food processor, thoroughly mix the Parmesan cheese and crackers.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the onion in the skillet, and cook and stir until tender. Mix in the zucchini, tomato, and garlic, and season with oregano, basil, celery, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook and stir until the zucchini is tender.
• In the prepared casserole dish, mix the pasta with the vegetable mixture and mozzarella cheese. Top evenly with the Parmesan cheese mixture.
• Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the topping is lightly browned. Allow to sit 5 minutes before serving.

ALFREDO VEGETABLE PASTA BAKE (COOKING FOR 2)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8x4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add carrot; cook and stir 3 minutes. Add zucchini; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until just tender. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds. Add flour, salt, pepper, nutmeg and pepper flakes; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Add spinach; stir until wilted. Remove from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Stir in pasta; pour mixture into pan.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly around edges and heated through. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in 3-inch skillet, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add bread crumbs; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Sprinkle over baked pasta.

CREAMY CREAMY ZUCCHINI & SPINACH RIGATONI

Steps:

• 1. Heat the oven to 375F. Cook the pasta in a large saucepan as dircted on the package, omitting the salt.
• 2. In the mean time, heat the oil in large fryong pan on medium heat. Add in the zucchini,mushrooms & garlic. Cook & stir for about 3 to 4 mins or until zucchini is crisp & tender.
• 3. Then add in the flour & seasonings. Cook & stir again for about 1 to 2 mins. Stir in the broth, cook for another 2 to 3 mins or until thickened. Add in the Neufchatel cheese, cook & stir for about 2 to 3 mins or until the cheese has melted.
• 4. Drain the pasta, return to the pan & add in the zucchini mixture. Then add in the spinach,parmesan & 1/2 cup mozzarella. Mix lightly & spoon into 2 qt. casserole dish. Spray with cooking spray. Then top with remaining mozzarella.
• 5. Bake for about 10 mins or until mozzarella is melted.

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.

BAKED SPINACH AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-14-by-2-inch oval baking dish, or six individual cast-iron pans, with 2 tablespoons of the melted butter and set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the scallions and zucchini and saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Lightly press most of the water out of the spinach and add it to the pan. Add the rice, basil, parsley, nutmeg, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and toss well. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, the -remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter, and the 1/4 cup Parmesan. Pour the mixture over the spinach and zucchini and smooth the top. Sprinkle with some extra Parmesan and the Gruyere. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

CREAMY CORN-AND-SPINACH PASTA

Steps:

• Strip corn kernels from cobs (you should have about 2 cups); reserve. Place cobs in a large pot filled with water, season generously with salt, and bring to a boil. Add pasta; cook 2 minutes less than package directions. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water, remove and discard corncobs, and drain.
• Return pot to medium-high heat; swirl in butter. Add scallion whites and light-greens and corn kernels, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; add spinach, both cheeses, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and stir until spinach wilts and cheeses melt.
• Return pasta to pot; cook 1 minute more, adding more pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce. Serve, sprinkled with scallion tops, more pecorino, and pepper.