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Creamy Spinach Rigatoni Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 121 reviews

This Creamy Spinach Rigatoni is a comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring tender rigatoni noodles coated in a luscious, creamy sauce made from butter, onions, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach. It is subtly flavored with nutmeg and perfectly seasoned with salt, offering a rich and savory meal that is quick and easy to prepare on the stovetop.

Ingredients

Scale

Spinach and Sauce

  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt (divided)

Pasta

  • 8 oz rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil (for sautéing)
  • 3 tablespoons water (to whisk with flour)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Onions: On medium-high heat, melt the butter together with olive oil in a skillet. Add the diced onion and 1 teaspoon of salt, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the onions become soft, translucent, and fragrant.
  2. Cook Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and continuously stir while cooking for 5 minutes. This helps the cream thicken and begins to develop the sauce’s rich texture.
  3. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and 3 tablespoons of water until smooth. Add this mixture to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently, to further thicken the sauce.
  4. Add Cheese, Nutmeg, and Spinach: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and ground nutmeg into the sauce. Then add the fresh spinach, simmering for 3 to 5 minutes until the spinach is wilted and fully incorporated into the creamy sauce.
  5. Toss Pasta: Add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the skillet and toss everything together carefully to ensure the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy spinach sauce.
  6. Serve: Once combined and heated through, plate the creamy spinach rigatoni and serve immediately. Enjoy your flavorful, comforting pasta dish!

Notes

  • For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for better flavor and melting qualities.
  • Cook the rigatoni al dente to avoid mushy pasta when mixed with the creamy sauce.
  • You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
  • Add freshly cracked black pepper or red pepper flakes for some heat if desired.
  • This dish is best served immediately as the creamy sauce may thicken upon standing or refrigeration.

Keywords: Creamy spinach rigatoni, spinach pasta recipe, creamy pasta dish, vegetarian rigatoni, easy Italian pasta

Find it online: https://lieblingsmahlzeit.com/creamy-spinach-rigatoni-recipe/