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Plate of spinach and ricotta stuffed manicotti garnished with parsley

Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Manicotti

Indulge in this comforting Italian-American classic featuring creamy ricotta and fresh spinach stuffed into manicotti shells, topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the stuffing
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese Whole milk ricotta for superior creaminess.
  • 2 cups chopped spinach Thoroughly drained to avoid excess water.
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Divided; reserve half for topping.
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Provides aromatic flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning For added herbal flavor.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For assembly
  • 8 pieces manicotti shells
  • 3 cups marinara sauce Use no-added-sugar varieties for enhanced flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley For garnish.
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Reserved for topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Boil the manicotti shells in salted water for 6-8 minutes until barely tender. Drain and rinse with cool water.
  3. In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, the egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Transfer the filling to a zip-top bag, snip a corner, and pipe the filling into each manicotti shell.
Assembly
  1. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  2. Arrange the filled manicotti in a single layer over the sauce and spoon the remaining marinara over the top.
  3. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the manicotti.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
  2. Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

Notes

For a healthier twist, consider adding nuts or seeds on top. Whole wheat manicotti shells can be used for extra fiber.