Discover the delicious Rigatoni Fiorentina, an easy-to-make Italian pasta dish with chicken, spinach, and cheese in a rich tomato sauce, perfect for any dinner.
Cook rigatoni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the spinach and sauté until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni, cooked chicken, sautéed spinach, tomato sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Salt the pasta water well; it's your chance to flavor the pasta.
• Cook the rigatoni until just al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Squeeze out as much water as possible from the spinach to prevent the sauce from getting too watery.
• Layer the ingredients evenly in the baking dish to ensure every bite has a good mix of flavors.
• Let the baked pasta rest for a few minutes before serving to set the layers and make it easier to cut.