Creamy Zucchini & Spinach Rigatoni

Creamy Zucchini & Spinach Rigatoni recipe

photo by:kraft

Get 'em to say "Yes!" to zucchini—and spinach—with this ooey-gooey, delectable pasta dish. Just another day in the life of a rock-star mom.

time

prep:

35 min

total:

45 min

servings

total:

6 servings, 1-1/3 cups each

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What You Need

oz. (1/2 of 16-oz. pkg.) rigatoni pasta, uncooked

tsp. oil

zucchini, sliced

1/2

lb. sliced fresh mushrooms

cloves garlic, minced

Tbsp. flour

1/4

tsp. each dried basil leaves, oregano leaves and crushed red pepper

cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth

oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed

pkg. (6 oz.) baby spinach leaves

1/4

cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

1-1/2

cups KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA, divided

Make It

HEAT oven to 375ºF.

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-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining mozzarella.

BAKE 10 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Serving Suggestion

Serve with fresh fruit and a side salad to round out the meal.

Preparing Perfect Pasta

Follow the package directions to ensure that enough water is used for cooking the pasta. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente (tender but still a little firm to the bite), stirring frequently. To prevent pasta from sticking, add it slowly to plenty of boiling water and stir frequently while cooking. Adding oil to the cooking water is not recommended because some sauces may not cling to pasta coated with oil.

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Tuttifruiti20

posted:1/17/2012

I love this dish...it turned out to look just like the picture! And it was so flavorful!

mandalu292

posted:1/7/2012

Yummmmmy! My husband and I loved this dish. I love even more that we can use so many fresh veggies. Next time I may add a bit of diced cooked chicken in there just for some extra flavor, but it was great even without it!

5Cait5

posted:1/2/2012

This is a really great recipe. Super cheesy, which I like, and really good. My 8 year-old son had three helpings. :)

a cook