Inside Out Manicotti
Reimagine your favorite Italian comfort food with this creative twist on a classic—Inside Out Manicotti! This easy, family-friendly casserole transforms all the beloved flavors of traditional stuffed manicotti into a stress-free, layered bake. Tender rotini or penne pasta is tossed in a creamy mixture of ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, and mozzarella, then smothered in rich marinara sauce and baked to perfection under a gooey layer of melty cheese. With only 15 minutes of prep and no need for tedious stuffing, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner. Serve it alongside garlic bread and a crisp salad, and watch it become an instant favorite in your Italian-inspired recipe rotation!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Rotini or Penne pasta
- 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
- 10 ounces Spinach, fresh or frozen (thawed and squeezed dry)
- 1 large Egg
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted (if using fresh spinach) or heated through (if using frozen). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, cooked spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well-incorporated.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the ricotta and spinach mixture until evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Inside Out Manicotti!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2802 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 168.2 g | 216% | |
| Saturated Fat | 81.2 g | 406% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 736 mg | 245% | |
| Sodium | 6739 mg | 293% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 174.9 g | 64% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.6 g | 66% | |
| Total Sugars | 23.7 g | ||
| Protein | 168.6 g | 337% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 4642 mg | 357% | |
| Iron | 17.9 mg | 99% | |
| Potassium | 2430 mg | 52% | |
*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.
