Description
Indulge in a delicious and wholesome meal with this Healthy Baked Pesto Rigatoni recipe. Packed with whole wheat rigatoni, vibrant veggies, flavorful pesto, and a cheesy finish, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces whole wheat rigatoni
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast (optional)
Pesto Mixture:
- 1 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook rigatoni until al dente, then mix with pesto, tomatoes, spinach, cheeses, and chicken if using. Season and transfer to a baking dish.
- Bake: Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake covered, then uncovered, until cheese is bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let it rest, garnish with basil, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken. Consider adding sautéed zucchini or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
