Do you love creamy pastas? Well then you are going to absolutely LOVE my creamy spinach rigatoni recipe! It's quick, easy & helps you sneak in some greens!
Perfect to add to your weekly rotation of quick weeknight meals!
If you love quick & savoury meals, you are also gonna love my: Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe, Creamy Shrimp Linguine & Creamier Carbonara!
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Ingredients
- Fresh spinach
- Unsalted butter
- Onion
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- All-purpose flour
- Ground nutmeg
- Rigatoni
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Sauté onions until translucent.
Add cream & spinach, let it thicken.
Add in cooked pasta & mix.
Serve & enjoy!
- On medium high heat, melt the butter with some olive oil. Add the diced onion and 1 teaspoon of salt, sautéing for 5 minutes until the onion turns soft and translucent.
- Pour in the heavy cream and let it cook, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk the flour with 3 tablespoon of water until smooth. Stir the flour mixture into the sauce and cook for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens further.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, ground nutmeg, and fresh spinach. Simmer until the spinach wilts, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy spinach sauce.
- Serve & Enjoy!
Substitutions
- Butter: Swap with olive oil, ghee, or a dairy-free margarine.
- Olive oil: Use vegetable oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil.
- Fresh spinach: Substitute with kale, arugula, or frozen spinach.
- Onion: Try shallots, leeks, or green onions.
- Heavy cream: Use half-and-half, coconut milk, or cashew cream for a lighter option.
- Parmesan cheese: Swap with Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or a dairy-free cheese alternative.
- All-purpose flour: Use cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or almond flour for gluten-free options.
- Rigatoni: you can use any pasta shape you'd like!
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Oven Safe Skillet or Large Pan
Storage
To store creamy spinach pasta, cool it completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore the sauce's creaminess. For freezing, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Top tips for success
Fresh ingredients: Use fresh spinach and herbs for vibrant flavor and color, making the dish taste fresher and more vibrant.
Cook pasta al dente: Slightly undercook the rigatoni, as it will continue to cook when combined with the sauce, ensuring perfect texture.
Balance creaminess: Add Parmesan cheese gradually to achieve the desired creaminess without overpowering the dish.
FAQs
To prevent the sauce from thickening too much, reserve some pasta water and add it to the sauce to adjust consistency as needed.
Reheat the pasta on low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce’s creaminess while stirring gently.
Yes, you can use frozen spinach, but make sure to thaw and drain it well to avoid excess water diluting the sauce.
Related
Looking for other pasta recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite desserts to serve with this creamy spinach rigatoni
Creamy Spinach Rigatoni Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- On medium high heat, melt the butter with some olive oil. Add the diced onion and 1 teaspoon of salt, sautéing for 5 minutes until the onion turns soft and translucent.
- Pour in the heavy cream and let it cook, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk the flour with 3 tablespoon of water until smooth. Stir the flour mixture into the sauce and cook for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens further.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, ground nutmeg, and fresh spinach. Simmer until the spinach wilts, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy spinach sauce.
- Serve & Enjoy!
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Becky says
Made it with cheese raviolis. Delicious!!! Excellent recipe!! Will definitely make it again! Super easy too!
Also I used Fairlife mill because I didn’t have heavy cream. Turned out fine.