Description
Spinach Manicotti is a comforting and elegant pasta dish featuring tender manicotti tubes stuffed with a creamy blend of spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, and egg, baked in savory marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This recipe combines vibrant greens and rich cheeses for a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or impressing guests, with customizable variations to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 manicotti pasta tubes
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Filling
- 10 ounces fresh spinach (or thawed frozen spinach, well squeezed)
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley or basil leaves, chopped
- Drizzle of good-quality olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach Filling: Sauté the fresh spinach with minced garlic and chopped onions over medium heat until wilted and fragrant. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then thoroughly squeeze out any excess moisture. In a mixing bowl, combine the drained spinach, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and Italian herbs. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- Cook the Manicotti Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the manicotti tubes and cook according to package instructions, but stop when they are still slightly al dente to avoid breakage when stuffing. Drain the pasta and carefully lay the tubes on a clean kitchen towel to cool.
- Stuff the Manicotti: Using a piping bag or spoon, fill each manicotti tube gently with the spinach and cheese filling. Avoid overfilling to prevent the shells from bursting during baking.
- Assemble the Dish: Spoon a layer of marinara sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti tubes side by side on top of the sauce. Cover them generously with the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to brown lightly and bubble.
Notes
- Dry the spinach thoroughly after cooking to prevent a watery filling.
- Handle cooked manicotti tubes gently as they are delicate and can crack.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley in the filling or sauce for enhanced flavor.
- Allow the baked dish to rest for a few minutes before serving to help it set.
- For extra creaminess, add additional ricotta or mozzarella cheese to the filling or topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg