My kids’ latest obsession – pasta and butter.
I think they could eat it three times a day, seven days a week, and never get sick of it. And you know what? I kind of feel the same. Is there anything more satisfying than pasta?
While I do enjoy the simple pleasures of a big old bowl of noodles covered with melted butter and some parmesan cheese (because cheese), sometimes I like to fancy things up a little. Enter this Cheesy Spinach Rigatoni.
The best part? It’s all made in one pot. Yup, one singular pot.
I’m kind of loving these extra large tubes at the moment. I go through phases – bucatini, cavatappi and the classic spaghetti are all top pasta shapes in my book. And you could surely substitute any of them in this Cheesy Spinach Rigatoni. But I’m just loving how all that creamy sauce gets caught inside all the little nooks and crannies, kind of like in our other creamy rigatoni dish. Just so darn satisfying. Which is what every meal should be.
And of course, the deconstructed meal for the win! I reserved some of the pasta plain on the side to toss with some butter to please the kids with a side of parm, while I had the adult version. The kids are free to try whatever they like, we are all eating the same thing, I’m just being more considerate to their simple tastes at the moment.
More Cheesy Spinach Rigatoni for me!
Dara
Cheesy Spinach Rigatoni
Dietary | Vegetarian |
Meal type | Main Dish |
Website | Adapted from Cooking Light |
Ingredients
- 8oz rigatoni
- 1 Tbsp canola oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 10oz baby spinach
- 1/2 Tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup old cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)
- parmesan cheese (to garnish)
Note
You can sub your favourite short pasta for the rigatoni - penne, rotini or farfalle would all work great. Feel free to use all mozzarella or cheddar if you'd like.
Directions
1. | Cook rigatoni according to package directions and reserve 1 cup cooking water. Set aside. |
2. | In the same pot, heat canola oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. |
3. | Add spinach and cook, stirring continuously, until almost fully wilted. Add mozzarella, cheddar, cream cheese, and 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water and cook until cream cheese is almost melted. |
4. | Add pasta and remaining 3/4 cup cooking water and cook for another minute or two until sauce comes together and spinach is evenly distributed. Grate parmesan over top and serve immediately. |
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