Best 7 Giada De Laurentiiss Penne With Spinach Sauce Recipes

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Planning a delightful culinary journey? If so, prepare to tantalize your taste buds with an iconic Italian dish that blends creamy perfection with a burst of verdant freshness. Giada De Laurentiis' Penne with Spinach Sauce is more than just a meal; it's a symphony of flavors where the richness of creamy sauce harmonizes beautifully with the vibrant notes of spinach. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you longing for more as we delve into the irresistible world of Giada's famed pasta dish.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

GIADA DE LAURENTIIS'S PENNE WITH SPINACH SAUCE



Giada De Laurentiis's Penne With Spinach Sauce image

Make and share this Giada De Laurentiis's Penne With Spinach Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Kerry Ciulla

Categories     Penne

Time 27m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb whole wheat penne or 1 lb multi-grain penne
3 garlic cloves
2 ounces goat cheese
1 ounce reduced-fat cream cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
6 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the penne and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes.
  • Mince the garlic in a food processor. Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and half of the spinach leaves. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set the cheese and spinach mixture aside.
  • Meanwhile, place the remaining spinach leaves in a large bowl.
  • Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Spoon the pasta atop the spinach leaves in the bowl. Scrape the cheese and spinach mixture over the pasta mixture and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the Parmesan over and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 326.2, Fat 5.3, SaturatedFat 3, Cholesterol 11.6, Sodium 407.7, Carbohydrate 59.3, Fiber 7, Sugar 0.4, Protein 15.2

PENNE WITH BRAISED SHORT RIBS



Penne with Braised Short Ribs image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 pounds beef short ribs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
5 Roma tomatoes, cut into eighths
1 cup red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 pound penne pasta
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

  • Place an oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Season the ribs with salt and pepper. In a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or ovenproof stock pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. In batches, add the ribs and brown on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the ribs and set aside. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, wine and mustard. Bring the mixture to a boil and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Return the ribs to the pan. Add the beef broth, cover the pan and place in the oven for 2 1/2 hours until the meat is fork-tender and falls easily from the bone.
  • Remove the ribs from the cooking liquid. Using a large spoon, remove any excess fat from the surface of the cooking liquid. Using a ladle, transfer the cooking liquid in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth. Pour the sauce into a saucepan and keep warm over low heat. Remove the meat from the bones. Discard the bones. Using 2 forks, shred the meat into small pieces. Stir the shredded meat into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and place in a large serving bowl. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat from the sauce and add to the pasta. Pour 1 cup of the sauce over the pasta. Toss well and thin out the pasta with more sauce, if needed. Sprinkle the pasta with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley before serving.

BAKED PENNE WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES



Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 red peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch wide strips
2 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 summer squash, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 cremini mushrooms, halved
1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon dried Italian herb mix or herbs de Provence
1 pound penne pasta
3 cups marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)
1 cup grated fontina cheese
1/2 cup grated smoked mozzarella
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus 1/3 cup for topping
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  • On a baking sheet, toss the peppers, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and onions with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and dried herbs. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Drain in a colander.
  • In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, cheeses, peas, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix, until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are combined.
  • Pour the pasta into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and butter pieces. Bake until top is golden and cheese melts, about 25 minutes.

PENNE WITH SHRIMP AND HERBED CREAM SAUCE



Penne with Shrimp and Herbed Cream Sauce image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound penne pasta
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled, and deveined
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained, roughly chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup white wine
1/3 cup clam juice
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Cook, stirring frequently until the shrimp turn pink and is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp and set aside.
  • Add the tomatoes, 1/4 cup basil, 1/4 cup parsley, and the red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the wine, clam juice, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 7 to 8 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, the cooked shrimp, the cooked pasta, and the remaining herbs. Toss together until all ingredients are coated. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve immediately.

PENNE WITH VODKA SAUCE



Penne with Vodka Sauce image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h25m

Yield 6 cups

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 quart Simple Tomato Sauce, recipe follows, or store-bought marinara sauce, blended until smooth
1 cup vodka
1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 pound penne
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
4 to 6 basil leaves
2 dried bay leaves
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

Steps:

  • Simmer the tomato sauce and vodka in a heavy large skillet over low heat until the mixture reduces by 1/4, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Stir the cream into the tomato and vodka sauce. Simmer over low heat until the sauce is heated through. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and well blended.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the pan with the sauce, and toss to coat.
  • In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrot and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and bay leaves and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and taste for seasoning. If sauce tastes too acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, to round out the flavor.
  • Pour half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce. If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and then pour 1 to 2 cup portions into plastic freezer bags. Freeze for up to 6 months.

SHELLS WITH CRISPY PANCETTA AND SPINACH - GIADA DE LAURENTIIS



Shells With Crispy Pancetta and Spinach - Giada De Laurentiis image

LOVE Giada De Laurentiis . . . this is one of her great recipes. LOTS of spinach- can cut in half if you are not a huge fan- but yummy none the less!

Provided by greyghost

Categories     Pasta Shells

Time 50m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (12 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 lb thick cut pancetta, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 lbs frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
1 cup grated asiago cheese
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup cream
2 cups grated asiago cheese, plus 1/4 cup
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Shells:.
  • Boil large pot of salted water over high heat.
  • Add pasta and cook until tender but firm to bite, 8-10 minutes.
  • Drain pasta.
  • Warm olive oil in large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add pancetta, cook until lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove pancetta with slotted spoon to large bowl, let cool.
  • Add spinach, ricotta and asiago cheeses, pepper and nutmeg to bowl.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Stuff shells with about 2 TBS. of spinach mixture.
  • Place shells in large buttered baking dish.
  • Sauce:.
  • Melt butter in medium saucepan.
  • Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add cream and simmer.
  • Turn heat to very low and add 2 cups of asiago cheese, parsley, and pepper.
  • Stir until cheese is melted.
  • Pour sauce over shells.
  • Top with remaining 1/4 cup asiago cheese.
  • Bake until golden on top, about 25 minutes.
  • Remove and serve immediately.

GIADA DE LAURENTIIS'S GARLIC AND CITRUS CHICKEN



Giada De Laurentiis's Garlic and Citrus Chicken image

I watched Giada make this on a recent episode of "Everyday Italian" on the Food Network. It is SO GOOD and pretty easy to prepare. She made the Penne with Spinach Sauce to go with it.

Provided by Kerry Ciulla

Categories     Chicken

Time 2h5m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (5 -6 lb) roasting chickens, neck and giblets discarded
salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 orange, quartered
1 lemon, quartered
1 head garlic, halved crosswise, plus 3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 (14 ounce) cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
kitchen string or butcher kitchen twine

Steps:

  • Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
  • Pat the chicken dry and sprinkle the cavity with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the orange, lemon, and garlic halves. Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen string to help hold its shape. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Place a rack in a large roasting pan. Place the chicken, breast side up, on the rack in the pan. Roast the chicken for 1 hour, basting occasionally and adding some chicken broth to the pan, if necessary, to prevent the pan drippings from burning. Whisk the orange juice, lemon juice, oil, oregano, and chopped garlic in a medium bowl to blend. Brush some of the juice mixture over the chicken, after it has baked 1 hour. Continue roasting the chicken until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the innermost part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F, basting occasionally with the juice mixture and adding broth to the pan, about 45 minutes longer. Transfer the chicken to a platter. Tent with foil while making the sauce (do not clean the pan).
  • Place the same roasting pan over medium-low heat. Whisk in any remaining broth and simmer until the sauce is reduced to 1 cup, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Strain into a 2-cup glass measuring cup and discard the solids. Spoon the fat from the top of the sauce. Serve the chicken with the pan sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 637.8, Fat 44.2, SaturatedFat 11.9, Cholesterol 178.2, Sodium 208.2, Carbohydrate 13.7, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 7.2, Protein 45.8

Tips:

  • To save time, use pre-washed spinach. This will also help to reduce the amount of water in the sauce.
  • Be sure to drain the spinach well before adding it to the sauce. This will help to prevent the sauce from becoming too watery.
  • If you don't have heavy cream on hand, you can substitute milk or half-and-half.
  • To make the sauce more flavorful, add a pinch of nutmeg or red pepper flakes.
  • Serve the penne with grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread.

Conclusion:

This penne with spinach sauce is a quick and easy weeknight meal that is packed with flavor. The creamy sauce is made with fresh spinach, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, and the penne is cooked al dente for a perfect bite. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table, and it's also a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables.

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