Spinach Ground Meat Manicotti
Treat your taste buds to the comforting flavors of Spinach Ground Meat Manicotti, an irresistible Italian-inspired dish that's perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This recipe combines tender manicotti shells stuffed with a flavorful filling of ground beef (or turkey), fresh spinach, and a rich blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Enhanced with aromatic garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning, each shell is generously coated in marinara sauce and baked until bubbly and golden. With its hearty mix of protein, greens, and creamy cheeses, this baked pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser that's as satisfying as it is simple to make. Perfectly portioned for six servings, it's a surefire way to bring everyone to the table for a warm, comforting meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 Manicotti shells
- 1 pound Ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 4 cups Fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 3 cups Marinara sauce
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the manicotti shells in a large pot of boiling, salted water until just al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the ground beef (or turkey) to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat, if necessary.
Stir the chopped spinach into the skillet with the ground meat mixture. Cook until the spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, the egg, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
Add the cooled ground meat and spinach mixture to the cheese mixture. Stir until everything is well combined.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Using a small spoon or piping bag, carefully stuff each cooked manicotti shell with the spinach and ground meat mixture. Place the stuffed shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are fully covered.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the manicotti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1106 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.3 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.1 g | 95% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 146 mg | 49% | |
| Sodium | 1119 mg | 49% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 129.2 g | 47% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.4 g | 26% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.9 g | ||
| Protein | 56.1 g | 112% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 609 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 6.4 mg | 35% | |
| Potassium | 713 mg | 15% | |
*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.
