Description
Spinach Cheese Manicotti combines tender pasta shells stuffed with creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and Italian cheeses, all baked in rich marinara sauce for a comforting meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (8 oz) manicotti shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook manicotti shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Fold in chopped spinach until evenly mixed.
- Carefully fill each manicotti shell with the cheese-spinach mixture.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish and arrange the filled shells in a single layer.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the manicotti.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- You can assemble manicotti up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, then bake when ready.
- Frozen spinach can be used (thawed and well-drained) instead of fresh spinach.
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner cut off to easily fill shells.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 stuffed shells
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: spinach cheese manicotti, stuffed pasta, baked manicotti, Italian vegetarian recipe