Creamy Spinach & Rigatoni Bake

Name: Creamy Spinach & Rigatoni Bake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 10 servings.
Ingredients: 1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni; 8 ounces sliced pancetta, chopped; 3/4 cup butter, cubed; 1/2 cup chopped onion; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 3/4 teaspoon pepper; 5-1/4 cups 2% milk; 4 cups shredded Italian cheese blend; 1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and chopped; 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Macaroni and cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods, but go ahead and give an Italian twist here. —Tammy Rex, New Tripoli, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni
8 ounces sliced pancetta, chopped
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
5-1/4 cups 2% milk
4 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and chopped
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

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 2-3 minutes or until thickened. 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, 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Originally published as Creamy Italian Spinach Rigatoni in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2014

Reviews

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Patricia

Feb 27, 2017

I followed the directions. It was great. We called it Adult Mac n Cheese. Will make again.
brianneosborn

Feb 5, 2017

This was great!I did make some changes:I added diced portobello mushrooms, used a 12 oz bag of spinach instead of 10, and subbed turkey pepperoni because pancetta in our area stores is outside of our budget. I also didn't buy enough of the Italian cheese blend, so I used a Mexican blend we had on hand to make up the balance.It still turned out delicious, and it made enough that I divided it into three pans, giving us supper plus two freezer meals.