Best 2 Spinach Pesto Manicotti Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey with our delightful Spinach Pesto Manicotti, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable dish features tender manicotti shells generously filled with a vibrant spinach pesto, a harmonious blend of fresh spinach, aromatic basil, nutty pine nuts, and tangy Parmesan cheese. Bathed in a creamy tomato sauce, each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and a burst of flavors that will leave you craving more. Accompany this main course with a refreshing Spinach Pesto Pasta Salad, a lighter option that combines the same vibrant pesto with al dente pasta, fresh vegetables, and a hint of lemon zest. For a satisfying appetizer, try our Mini Spinach Pesto Quiche Bites, featuring flaky pastry shells filled with a creamy spinach pesto filling, perfect for any occasion. And don't forget to end your meal on a sweet note with our delectable Spinach Pesto Muffins, a delightful treat that combines the earthy flavors of spinach pesto with the comforting sweetness of muffin batter.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SPINACH, PESTO, AND BEEF STUFFED MANICOTTI



Spinach, Pesto, and Beef Stuffed Manicotti image

I love stuffed Manicotti. The more I can stuff in it, the better! I love cheese too and this has 4 cheeses! This recipe has a different take on the usual, with marinara sauce and pesto ... you can't go wrong! Served with garlic bread, I couldn't be happier!

Provided by Tammy T

Categories     Beef

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 oz manicotti, 12 pasta shells
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1/3 c pesto sauce
3 c marinara sauce
2 (8 ounce) bags fresh spinach
8 oz cream cheese
4 oz provolone cheese, sliced - 12 pieces
1/2 c parmesan cheese, grated
2 c mozzarella cheese, shredded
salt and pepper
olive oil

Steps:

  • 1. Brown the ground meat and season well with salt and pepper. Drain off the grease and put in a large bowl.
  • 2. Boil the shells, according to package, drain and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • 3. In the same skillet in which you browned the meat, add some olive oil and saute the spinach until completely done.
  • 4. Mix the pesto, cream cheese, Parmesan and spinach into the ground meat.
  • 5. Pour a little marinara into a large (large enough to hold all the manicotti in one layer) casserole dish, enough to allow the shells to sit on and not stick to the bottom of the dish.
  • 6. Then stuff the shells with the meat mixture and lay the stuffed shells into the casserole.
  • 7. Top each shell with Provolone. Pour remaining marinara over shells, top with shredded mozzarella.
  • 8. Bake for 45-60 minutes according to your oven temperature, until hot and bubbly with the cheese all melted but not too browned.

SPINACH PESTO MANICOTTI



Spinach Pesto Manicotti image

Cozy up with a cheesy, red sauced pasta dish great for casual entertaining.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

8 oz uncooked manicotti
1 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef
1 box (9 oz) frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain and chopped
4 oz mozzarella cheese, diced (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup purchased pesto
1 egg
1 jar (26 to 28 oz) tomato pasta sauce

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook manicotti to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain; rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.
  • Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine ground beef, spinach, cheese, pesto and egg. If desired, add salt and pepper; mix well. For easier stuffing, place beef mixture in resealable freezer plastic bag; seal bag. Cut about 1-inch hole in bottom corner of bag.
  • Fill each manicotti by squeezing beef mixture into manicotti; place in sprayed baking dish. Pour pasta sauce over manicotti. Cover with foil.
  • Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until filling is no longer pink in center.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 610, Carbohydrate 56 g, Cholesterol 95 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 4 g, Protein 31 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1110 mg, Sugar 11 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh spinach in your pesto. If you don't have fresh spinach, you can use frozen spinach, but be sure to thaw it and squeeze out all of the excess water before using it.
  • If you don't have pine nuts, you can use walnuts or almonds instead.
  • To make your manicotti more cheesy, add an extra layer of ricotta cheese between the spinach pesto and the manicotti shells.
  • To prevent the manicotti from drying out, cover them with foil before baking.
  • Serve the manicotti with your favorite marinara sauce, pesto sauce, or alfredo sauce.

Conclusion:

Spinach pesto manicotti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is a great way to use up leftover spinach and ricotta cheese, and it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting pasta dish to try, be sure to give spinach pesto manicotti a try!

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