Indulge in the culinary delight of Spinach Manicotti, a delectable dish that combines the goodness of spinach, cheese, and pasta in perfect harmony. This classic Italian dish features manicotti shells generously stuffed with a creamy spinach and ricotta filling, enveloped in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce. Each bite reveals a burst of flavors, from the earthy notes of spinach to the tangy sweetness of tomato sauce. Accompanied by easy-to-follow recipes for both the spinach filling and the homemade tomato sauce, this article will guide you through the process of creating this irresistible dish from scratch. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, thisSpinach Manicotti recipe promises a delicious and satisfying meal that will impress your taste buds and leave you craving for more.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
SPINACH CHEESE MANICOTTI
The creamy cheese filling in these yummy stuffed shells has a pretty flecks of spinach. Margaret Truxton, Pinehurst, North Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a small skillet, saute onion in oil for 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Set aside. , In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and pepper; beat until smooth. Stir in onion mixture and spinach. Stuff into the manicotti shells., Pour half of the spaghetti sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Arrange shells over sauce; top with remaining sauce., Cover and bake at 350° for 25 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 682 calories, Fat 38g fat (19g saturated fat), Cholesterol 101mg cholesterol, Sodium 1418mg sodium, Carbohydrate 56g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 33g protein.
MANICOTTI
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- If using fresh spinach, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, and season generously with salt. Fill a medium bowl with ice water and season with salt. Boil the spinach until tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, (keep the water in the pot boiling), and immediately plunge the spinach into the ice water. Drain and squeeze the excess water from the spinach, and finely chop. Alternatively, if using thawed spinach, simply squeeze, and finely chop. Set aside.
- In the same large pot of boiling water, cook the manicotti shells according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and pat dry.
- Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Lightly beat the eggs in a medium bowl. Add the spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, and 1/3 cup of the grated cheese and mix until evenly combined. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, the nutmeg and pepper. Spoon the cheese mixture into the manicotti shells and line them up in the baking dish. Cover with the remaining 2 cups sauce. Scatter the remaining 2/3 cup grated cheese on top and dot with the butter.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in 2 teaspoons salt and season with pepper to taste. Use right away, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Yield: 3 1/2 cups
- Copyright 2001 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.
SPINACH MANICOTTI
Stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, this Italian-style entree is flavorful and filling. I particularly like this meatless dish because I don't have to cook the pasta before assembling. -Mary Steiner of West Bend, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h30m
Yield 7 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, spinach, sour cream, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder. , Combine the tomato juice, salsa and crushed tomatoes; spread 1 cup sauce in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Stuff uncooked manicotti with spinach mixture; arrange over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over manicotti., Cover and bake at 350° for 55 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake 15 minutes longer or until noodles are tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 345 calories, Fat 8g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 34mg cholesterol, Sodium 782mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SPINACH MANICOTTI IN CREAMY TOMATO SAUCE
Our fuss-free method for stuffing pasta shells turns this classic Italian dish into a weeknight option.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain well and arrange in a single layer on an oiled rimmed baking sheet. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and lemon zest. Stir in spinach and season filling to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer filling to a large zip-top plastic bag. Twist and squeeze bag so filling is in one corner. With scissors, snip a 3/4-inch opening in corner. Pipe filling into both ends of each pasta shell. Arrange stuffed shells in an 8-inch square glass baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together marinara sauce, oregano, and cream. Pour sauce evenly over stuffed shells and top with 1/2 cup Parmesan. Bake until sauce in center of dish is bubbling and Parmesan is browned in spots, about 30 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 439 g, Fat 20 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 26 g
SPINACH AND PORCINI STUFFED MANICOTTI
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a heatproof bowl soak the porcini in the water for 15 minutes. Drain the porcini, reserving the liquid, pat dry and chop fine. Strain reserved soaking liquid through a double thickness of dampened cheesecloth into a bowl.
- In a skillet set over moderate heat cook the onion in the butter, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
- Add the spinach, garlic and mushrooms and cook, stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until heated through. Transfer mixture to a bowl, add remaining ingredients (using only 1/2 cup of locatelli) and gently stir to combine well.
- Cook the manicotti in boiling salted water until just al dente. With a slotted spoon transfer to a bowl of cold water, drain and pat dry. Gently stuff shells with filling and arrange in a buttered baking dish.
- Make the sauce: In a saucepan set over moderately low heat melt the butter, add the flour and cook the mixture, whisking, for 2 minutes. Add the milk and reserved mushroom liquid and bring to a simmer, whisking. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper and simmer, whisking occasionally, for 5 minutes.
- Spoon the sauce over the manicotti, sprinkle with the remaining locatelli and bake, covered with foil for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10-15 minutes longer. Let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle with snipped fresh chives.
SPINACH CHEESE MANICOTTI
My husband says this dish is restaurant quality. It can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator overnight. Very filling and great served with a salad and garlic bread.
Provided by Ernie
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h5m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, spinach, onion and egg. Season with parsley, pepper and garlic powder. Mix in 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan. In a separate bowl, stir together spaghetti sauce and water.
- Spread 1 cup sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Stuff uncooked manicotti shells with ricotta mixture, and arrange in a single layer in the dish. Cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until noodles are soft.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 576.1 calories, Carbohydrate 69 g, Cholesterol 81.8 mg, Fat 20.5 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 29.8 g, SaturatedFat 9.7 g, Sodium 1409.9 mg, Sugar 24.4 g
SPINACH AND CHEESE MANICOTTI RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: manicotti shells, shredded italian cheese blend, ricotta cheese, frozen cut spinach, cream cheese, grated parmesan cheese, himalayan sea salt, pepper, dry parsley flakes, dry oregano, dry basil, garlic powder, onion powder, marinara sauce, fresh thyme
Provided by Sarah LaDue
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cook manicotti al dente. Then, rinse pasta with cool water and drain well.
- Stir together all the spinach blend ingredients in a separate bowl and set aside.
- In the bottom of an ungreased 13x9 (3 qt) glass baking dish, spread 1 ½ cups (390 G) pasta sauce along the bottom.
- Spoon spinach mixture into a piping or a gallon-size Ziploc bag. Snip 1 inch (2.5 cm) off the corner - you want it big enough to fill the manicotti and be able to let all the ingredients pass through without clogging the piping hole.
- Hold a manicotti shell in your hand and squeeze the filling inside the shell. Let it overflow just a bit on both sides.
- Place the filled shells into the bottom of the pan: if you run out of room in your pan, use a separate smaller pan to accommodate the extra.
- Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling.
- Uncover dish and top with more sauce. Then, sprinkle remaining ½ cup Italian cheese blend on top of the sauce.
- Bake uncovered for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with thyme and add some fresh chives (optional) upon serving. Serve hot.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1099 calories, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 87 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 61 grams, Sugar 6 grams
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before starting, ensure all ingredients are prepped and measured. This will make the cooking process smoother and less stressful.
- Blanch the Spinach: Blanching the spinach in boiling water helps retain its vibrant green color and removes excess moisture, making it easier to handle.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, and oregano add a burst of flavor to the filling. If using dried herbs, use about 1/3 of the amount.
- Season Properly: Don't be shy with the seasonings. A good balance of salt, pepper, garlic, and nutmeg is essential for a flavorful filling.
- Don't Overcook the Manicotti: Cook the manicotti according to the package instructions or until they are al dente. Overcooking can make them mushy.
- Make Ahead: Manicotti can be assembled and baked ahead of time and then refrigerated or frozen until ready to serve. This makes them a great option for busy weeknights.
- Use a Variety of Sauces: While marinara sauce is a classic choice, feel free to experiment with other sauces like alfredo, pesto, or béchamel for a different flavor profile.
Conclusion:
Spinach manicotti is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. With its creamy spinach filling, tender pasta shells, and flavorful sauce, it's a sure crowd-pleaser. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, give this recipe a try and discover a new favorite Italian dish.
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