Best 6 Creamy Zucchini And Spinach Rigatoni Recipes

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Welcome to the ultimate guide to discovering the creamiest and most delectable "Creamy Zucchini and Spinach Rigatoni"! This delightful pasta dish is a vibrant blend of flavors and textures, guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting to explore the culinary world, this article will provide you with expert tips and tricks to create a creamy zucchini and spinach rigatoni that will impress your family and friends. Along the way, we'll uncover the secrets to choosing the freshest ingredients, mastering the art of cooking rigatoni pasta to perfection, and creating a luscious creamy sauce that will make your taste buds dance with delight. So, grab your apron and let's embark on a culinary journey to discover the best recipe for creamy zucchini and spinach rigatoni!

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY ZUCCHINI AND SPINACH RIGATONI



Creamy Zucchini and Spinach Rigatoni image

This creamy pasta recipe has everything it needs to be a new family favorite.

Categories     pasta     baked     zucchini     Kraft     spinach     cheese     Rigatoni

Time 45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 oz. rigatoni pasta
1 tsp. oil
1 zucchini
1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
2 clove garlic
1 tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. dried basil leaves
1/4 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 c. fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 oz. PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese
1 package baby spinach leaves
1/4 c. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 1/2 c. KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • 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 minutes, or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Add flour and seasonings; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in broth; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes, or until thickened. Add Neufchatel; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes, or until melted.
  • Drain pasta; return to pan. Add zucchini mixture, spinach, Parmesan, and 1/2 cup mozzarella; mix lightly. Spoon into 2-quart casserole sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining mozzarella.
  • Bake 10 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330 calories

CREAMY SPINACH & RIGATONI BAKE



Creamy Spinach & Rigatoni Bake image

Macaroni and cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods. My recipe gives it an Italian twist. -Tammy Rex, New Tripoli, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni
8 ounces sliced pancetta, chopped
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
5-1/4 cups 2% milk
4 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and chopped
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 643 calories, Fat 35g fat (20g saturated fat), Cholesterol 99mg cholesterol, Sodium 1438mg sodium, Carbohydrate 53g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 28g protein.

CREAMY ZUCCHINI & SPINACH RIGATONI



Creamy Zucchini & Spinach Rigatoni image

Creamy - check; Pasta - check; vegetables - check. This recipe has everything it needs to be a new family favorite.

Provided by Kraft Natural Cheese

Categories     Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 6 1-1/3-cup servings, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 ounces rigatoni pasta, uncooked (1/2 of 16-oz. pkg.)
1 teaspoon oil
1 zucchini, sliced
1/2 lb sliced fresh mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon flour
1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
4 ounces PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.)
1 (6 ounce) package baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup Kraft® Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a Touch of PHILADELPHIA, divided

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 ZUCCHINI & SPINACH RIGATONI



Creamy Zucchini & Spinach Rigatoni image

Get 'em to say Yes! to zucchini and spinach with this creamy spinach-rigatoni pasta dish. Creamy Zucchini & Spinach Rigatoni is great for weeknights.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Thanksgiving Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings, 1-1/3 cups each

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 cups (1/2 of 16-oz. pkg.) rigatoni pasta, uncooked
1 tsp. oil
1 zucchini, sliced
1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. each dried basil leaves, dried oregano leaves and crushed red pepper
1 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed
1 pkg. (6 oz.) baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA, divided

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330, Fat 13 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 460 mg, Carbohydrate 35 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 3 g, Protein 19 g

BAKED SPINACH AND ZUCCHINI



Baked Spinach and Zucchini image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, divided
Good olive oil
6 scallions, white and green parts, sliced 1/4 inch across
1 pound small zucchini, sliced in 1/4-inch-thick rounds (4 zucchini)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
1 cup cooked basmati rice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, plus extra
2 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated

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 ZUCCHINI AND SPINACH RIGATONI



Creamy Zucchini and Spinach Rigatoni image

Rigatoni pasta, mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini are baked in a creamy cheese sauce.

Provided by Allrecipes Member

Categories     Pasta by Shape

Time 45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 cups uncooked rigatoni pasta
1 tablespoon oil
1 zucchini, sliced
9 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, minced
¾ cup 25%-less-sodium chicken broth
1 (270 g) tub PHILADELPHIA Italian Three Cheese Cooking Creme
4 cups tightly packed baby spinach leaves, chopped
½ cup fresh basil, chopped
1 ½ cups KRAFT Creamy Mozza Shredded Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA, divided

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • 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 minutes or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Add broth; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or just until mixture comes to boil. Add Cooking Creme; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.
  • Drain pasta; return to pan. Add zucchini mixture, spinach, basil and 1/2 cup mozzarella; mix lightly. Spoon into 9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining mozzarella.
  • Bake 10 minutes or until mozzarella is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 383.3 calories, Carbohydrate 42.5 g, Cholesterol 41.6 mg, Fat 15.4 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 8.2 g, Sodium 528.5 mg, Sugar 5.2 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh zucchini and spinach will give your dish the best flavor. If you can't find fresh spinach, you can use frozen spinach, but be sure to thaw it and squeeze out any excess water before using.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and will not hold the sauce well.
  • Don't overcook the vegetables: Zucchini and spinach cook quickly, so be careful not to overcook them. Overcooked vegetables will lose their color and flavor.
  • Use a good quality cheese: The cheese you use will make a big difference in the flavor of your dish. Use a Parmesan cheese that is aged for at least 12 months.
  • Season to taste: Be sure to taste your dish before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or garlic powder.

Conclusion:

This Creamy Zucchini and Spinach Rigatoni is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The creamy sauce is made with fresh zucchini, spinach, and Parmesan cheese, and the rigatoni pasta is cooked to perfection. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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