Creamy Spinach And Chicken Rigatoni Recipes

RIGATONI PASTA WITH CHICKEN AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Note: if using sun-dried tomatoes in oil (in a jar), make sure to drain sun-dried tomatoes from oil, before using them. Reserve 2 tablespoons of this drained oil for sautéing as described below:
• In a large pan, on high heat, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes (drained from oil) in 2 tablespoons of oil (reserved from the sun-dried tomatoes jar - see note above) for 30 seconds until garlic is fragrant. Add thinly sliced chicken breast, sprinkle with salt and paprika, and cook on high heat for 1 minute on each side. Remove from heat.
• In the mean time, cook rigatoni pasta al dente. Reserve some cooked pasta water. Optionally, you can drain and rinse the rigatoni with cold water (to stop cooking).
• While the rigatoni is cooking, make the pasta cream sauce. Add half and half to the skillet with the chicken. Add 1 tablespoon of basil, at least 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle boil. Add Mozzarella cheese. Immediately reduce to simmer and cook, constantly stirring, until all cheese melts and creamy sauce forms.
• Add capers. Stir to combine. If the sauce is too thick - don't worry - you'll be adding some cooked pasta water soon.
• Add cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the cream sauce, and stir to combine.
• Add about 1/2 cup reserved cooked pasta water because the cream sauce will be too thick (do not add all water at once - you might need less or more of it). This will water down the thickness of the cheese sauce and make it creamier. Immediately, season this creamy chicken rigatoni pasta with salt and more red pepper flakes, to taste, if needed. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes for flavors to combine.
• Note: Make sure to salt the dish just enough to bring out of the flavors of basil and sun-dried tomatoes.

CREAMY ZUCCHINI AND SPINACH RIGATONI

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 min. or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Add flour and seasonings; cook and stir 1 min. Stir in broth; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until thickened. Add Neufchatel; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. 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 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

CREAMY CHICKEN AND RIGATONI

Steps:

• Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, garlic, basil and oregano in oil about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
• Stir in tomatoes, whipping cream, salt, pepper and red pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered about 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
• Cook and drain rigatoni as directed on package. Stir rigatoni and vegetables into chicken mixture; cook until hot. Serve with cheese.

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.

CREAMY CHICKEN BUCATINI WITH BACON

Steps:

• In a large non-stick skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate and remove all but 2 tbsp of the fat from the pan. Increase heat to medium high and cook chicken until golden, sprinkling with Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper to taste. Remove chicken from pan and set aside with bacon.
• Add tomato paste to same pan, stirring until deep rich red colour, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with chili flakes if using. Stir in Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup and milk until smooth.
• Stir in bucatini (or any long pasta such as penne or rigatoni), spinach, chicken and bacon and mix until evenly coated. Cook over medium heat until spinach is just wilted and everything is heated through, about 5 minutes.

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 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.