Cheesy Spinach Manicotti
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this cheesy spinach manicotti recipe, a crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender manicotti shells stuffed with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and nutrient-packed spinach. Perfectly seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian herbs, the filling is piped into the shells for easy preparation and layered with rich marinara sauce for a flavorful bake. Topped with gooey melted mozzarella and finished in the oven until bubbling, this hearty vegetarian recipe is an impressive yet approachable option for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Ready in just an hour and serving up to six, cheesy spinach manicotti guarantees satisfaction in every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pieces manicotti shells
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach
- 1 piece large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 24 ounces jar of marinara sauce
- 0.5 cup water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the manicotti shells in a large pot of salted boiling water for 5 minutes less than the package directions, just until slightly softened. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
Thaw the frozen spinach and squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, spinach, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Transfer the cheese and spinach mixture into a large resealable plastic bag or piping bag. Snip off one corner of the bag to create an opening for piping.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Pipe the cheese mixture into each manicotti shell and place them in the baking dish in a single layer.
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed manicotti shells, evenly covering them.
Add 1/2 cup of water to the marinara sauce jar, shake to loosen the remaining sauce, and pour it around the edges of the baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the manicotti.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3989 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 144.0 g | 185% | |
| Saturated Fat | 78.7 g | 394% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 687 mg | 229% | |
| Sodium | 7443 mg | 324% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 461.8 g | 168% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 34.3 g | 122% | |
| Total Sugars | 45.5 g | ||
| Protein | 224.2 g | 448% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 4898 mg | 377% | |
| Iron | 20.6 mg | 114% | |
| Potassium | 4043 mg | 86% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
