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Delicious Spinach Manicotti Dinner

Learn how to make classic baked Spinach Manicotti, a cheesy Italian pasta dish with ricotta, spinach, and marinara sauce, perfect for a family dinner.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 480 kcal

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • oven
  • baking dish
  • large pot
  • spatula
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • sheet of parchment paper
  • zip-top bag
  • wire cooling rack

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Filling

  • 12 manicotti shells
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 package frozen chopped spinach 10-ounce, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1 container whole milk ricotta cheese 15-ounce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Sauce and Assembly

  • 1 jar marinara sauce 24-ounce
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
  • Cook the manicotti shells in a large pot of salted boiling water for 6-7 minutes until pliable but still very firm, then drain and lay them in a single layer on a sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, mixing gently with a spoon until just combined.
  • Spoon the filling into a large zip-top bag, snip off one corner, and pipe the mixture evenly into each par-cooked manicotti shell until full.
  • Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, arrange the filled shells in a single layer, and pour the remaining sauce over the top.
  • Pour the 1/2 cup of water around the edges of the dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 40 minutes until the sauce is bubbling.
  • Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
  • Let the manicotti rest for 10 minutes on a wire cooling rack before serving to allow the filling to set.

Notes

Let the manicotti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.
Keyword baked, manicotti, pasta, ricotta, spinach