Description
Experience the delightful harmony of creamy cheeses and spinach in this Baked Manicotti. It’s an easy, comforting meal that will impress your family or guests with its rich flavors and simple preparation. Ideal for any night of the week!
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 manicotti shells
- 16 oz (454 g) whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded, sharp cheddar cheese plus 1 cup (113 g) for topping
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (140 g) thawed frozen, chopped spinach squeezed dry
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp (1 g) italian seasoning
- ½ tsp (1 g) onion powder
- ½ tsp (1 g) garlic powder
- ½ tsp (3 g) table salt
- ½ tsp (1 g) black pepper
- ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh parsley
- 24 oz (680 g) marinara sauce divided (1 cup / 240 ml for the pan)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the manicotti shells until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, chopped spinach, egg, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley until smooth.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- Fill each manicotti shell with the ricotta mixture using a piping bag or resealable plastic bag.
- Arrange the filled shells in the baking dish, and top with the remaining marinara sauce and cheddar cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest briefly before serving.
Notes
For a twist, add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers into the cheese mixture.
Ensure the spinach is well-squeezed to prevent excess moisture in the filling.
You can substitute the marinara sauce with other pasta sauces to personalize the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 manicotti
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 90mg