SBS Food

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Green rigatoni

Struggling to get more veggies into your children’s diet? Try Alex Ward's stunning bright green pasta sauce – packed with nutrients and fibre, it’s ideal for hiding veggies for fussy eaters (for children and adults alike!).

Green rigatoni

Credit: Jiwon Kim

  • serves

    4-6

  • prep

    10 minutes

  • cook

    20 minutes

  • difficulty

    Easy

serves

4-6

people

preparation

10

minutes

cooking

20

minutes

difficulty

Easy

level

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Ingredients

  • 500 g rigatoni
  • ¾ cup ricotta cheese
  • A pinch chilli flakes
For the sauce
  • 1 large bunch Tuscan kale or silverbeet, stemmed (about 5 cups)
  • 160 g baby spinach leaves
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 50 g parmesan cheese (or pecorino Romano cheese), grated
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil, plus extra to serve
  • 2 tsp grated lemon zest, plus juice for serving
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. To make the sauce, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the kale to the simmering water and cook until it softens and turns bright green. Add the baby spinach and garlic cloves to the water and cook until wilted. Use a large slotted spoon to transfer the greens and garlic to a colander. Place underneath cool, running water, then gently squeeze out any excess water.
  2. Return the saucepan of water to the boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup pasta water.
  3. While the pasta is cooking, combine the blanched greens and garlic cloves in a food processor with the remaining ingredients for the sauce. Add a splash of pasta water to help thin out the consistency of the pesto, if it’s too thick.
  4. Divide the green rigatoni between bowls and spoon over some ricotta. Sprinkle with chilli flakes and squeeze over some fresh lemon juice. Drizzle with a little olive oil and serve.

Photography by Jiwon Kim.

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Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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Cooking and conversation are a bridge to understanding people and their culture. On The Cook Up with Adam Liaw his guests - world renowned chefs, entertainers, sports and social media stars - prepare food, eat, laugh and give us a glimpse into their lives.
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Published 18 April 2025 10:12am
By SBS Food
Source: SBS



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