This delightful Italian-inspired dish combines tender pasta tubes filled with a luscious mixture of spinach and creamy ricotta cheese, all smothered in a rich tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Each bite is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, with the spinach adding a touch of freshness to the creamy ricotta filling.
It’s a dish that will warm your heart and leave you feeling satisfied. So let’s dive in!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 8–10 manicotti pasta tubes
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the manicotti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Fill each cooked manicotti tube with the spinach and ricotta mixture.
- Place the filled manicotti in a greased baking dish. Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the top, covering all the manicotti.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Serve the Spinach and Ricotta Manicotti warm and enjoy!
Notes
To save on time, feel free to use no-boil manicotti pasta tubes. You can also opt for pre-washed baby spinach to save time on chopping and cleaning. Choose a good-quality store-bought marinara sauce to cut down on cooking time. For an extra kick of flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of garlic powder to the spinach and ricotta mixture. Serve the manicotti with a simple side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal. Enjoy!
*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
