Hi, I am Kathy from Simply Cooked Recipes. I fell for manicotti on a chilly Tuesday when the house smelled like warm tomato and the oven hummed. This manicotti recipe keeps things simple and friendly. We mix creamy ricotta, sweet mozzarella and a tangle of spinach, then tuck it all into pasta tubes. The result tastes cozy and a little fancy without the fuss. You want an easy stuffed manicotti recipe that does not ask for a pasta boil marathon. I hear you. We stuff the shells before baking, so the sauce does the work. If ricotta makes you grin, try this stuffed manicotti recipe ricotta for date night or a lazy Sunday. I once filled a few extra shells and hid them in the back of the fridge, which felt sneaky but wildly smart. Craving twists. Turn it into a chicken manicotti recipe for protein lovers, a meat manicotti recipe for the red sauce crowd, or an alfredo manicotti recipe when cream calls your name. If you just need more greens, welcome to my favorite corner of spinach recipes. Grab a spoon. We got this.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
- 4) How to Make Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
- 5) Tips for Making Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
- 6) Making Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
- 8) Try these Main Course next
- 9) Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I am Kathy from Simply Cooked Recipes at https://www.simplycookedrecipes.com. I made this pan many times and I keep the steps short and clear. The sauce softens the shells as they bake which keeps the work light and the mood calm.
This dish brings gentle heat and a creamy center. The filling stays rich from ricotta and mozzarella. Spinach adds color and an earthy scent that feels warm and homey.
Serve it to a small crew or a busy family. Prep early. Bake when the table is set. Clean up stays easy. The result tastes like a win after a long day.
2) Easy Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti Recipe
I reach for this manicotti recipe when I crave comfort and speed. This manicotti recipe slides into my week with no stress. The shells sit snug in sauce. The mixture goes in smooth. The bake does the rest while I set plates and pour water.
We cook with calm hands here. I mix ricotta for body and mozzarella for melt. I fold in spinach for balance. The scent of garlic and tomato fills the kitchen and nudges folks toward the oven. A simple manicotti dinner tastes like a small holiday on a random weeknight.
I learned a funny lesson. I once tried to stuff hot shells. Big mistake. Warm shells slip and split. Cool shells behave and take the filling like champs. Since then I keep a wide bowl and a spoon ready. For a classic manicotti recipe for families, this one stays true and kind.
3) Ingredients for Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
Ricotta I use full fat for a creamy bite. It holds the mix and gives a mild dairy note that feels cozy. The curds smooth out as you stir.
Mozzarella I shred it fresh. It melts fast and pulls into soft strands. It brings mild flavor that lets the sauce lead.
Parmesan A small handful wakes up each bite. It adds a nutty edge and a salty kick that plays well with tomato.
Cream cheese A few spoonfuls make the filling lush. It blends with ricotta and keeps the texture thick but spreadable.
Spinach I thaw it and squeeze it dry. The greens add color and a soft mineral taste. It makes each forkful feel fresh.
Eggs They bind the filling as it bakes. The set stays tender and neat which helps with clean slices.
Salt and black pepper A light touch brings balance. Taste the mix and adjust. Small changes matter here.
Manicotti shells Dry tubes keep their shape and fill well. Cool them before stuffing for smooth work with less mess.
Marinara sauce Use a jar you like or a simple home pot. The sauce bath cooks the shells and keeps edges tender.
Olive oil and garlic A small sizzle lifts the sauce and wakes up the room with a warm kitchen smell.
4) How to Make Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
Step 1 Heat the oven to a steady three hundred fifty. Spoon sauce into the baking dish so the bottom looks coated and glossy.
Step 2 Stir ricotta, mozzarella, cream cheese, Parmesan, spinach, eggs, salt and pepper in a large bowl. The mix should feel thick and calm.
Step 3 Fill a large bag or use a spoon. Pipe or spoon the filling into cool shells from both ends. Work over the bowl for quick cleanup.
Step 4 Set the stuffed shells into the sauced dish. Tuck them close so they sit snug and steady.
Step 5 Cover with more sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan over the top. Cover the pan with foil for soft steam.
Step 6 Bake until the sauce bubbles. Lift the foil near the end for light browning. Rest the pan for ten minutes. Plate and serve.
5) Tips for Making Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
Use cool shells. Warm shells tear under pressure. Cool shells welcome the filling and keep their shape. A little patience pays off.
Mix the filling until smooth. Any dry pocket fights the spoon. A calm mix gives you neat tubes and even bites. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan if the mix feels loose.
Let the pan rest before serving. The cheese settles and the sauce thickens a bit. Slices lift clean and plates stay tidy. This small pause saves stress.
6) Making Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti Ahead of Time
I make the filling in the morning. I stash it cold and covered. When dinner nears, I stuff the shells and set the pan. This plan keeps busy days on track.
You can assemble the full dish and chill it. Add a thin splash of water to the sauce if it looks thick from the fridge. The bake may run a touch longer and the result still turns out tender.
For a best baked manicotti feel on day two, I rewarm covered and finish uncovered. The top turns light gold. The center stays creamy and happy.
7) Storing Leftover Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
Leftovers chill well. I pack two shells and a scoop of sauce per box. That size heats fast and makes a quick lunch the next day.
Warm in a covered dish until the cheese softens and the sauce looks bright. Add a spoon of water if the sauce seems thick. A fresh grate of Parmesan wakes it right up.
For the freezer, wrap tight and label. Thaw in the fridge before you bake again. The texture stays close to day one and the flavor still sings.
8) Try these Main Course next
9) Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti manicotti recipe
Ingredients
- 15 ounces part skim ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 box manicotti noodles, 12 to 14 shells
- 4 cups marinara sauce, jarred or homemade
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, cream cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, spinach, eggs, salt and pepper until well blended.
- Spread about 1 1/2 cups marinara in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spoon or pipe the filling into uncooked manicotti shells until full on both ends. Nestle the stuffed shells into the sauced pan. Repeat with remaining shells and filling.
- Cover the pasta completely with about 2 1/2 cups marinara. Sprinkle 1/2 cup Parmesan over the top. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes more. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
10) Nutrition
One serving brings balanced comfort. You get protein from cheese and eggs. You get greens from spinach. Pair with a crisp salad for a full plate that feels light yet steady.
For pasta, I count a mindful portion and sip water. Ricotta adds calcium. Tomato sauce adds lycopene. The mix feels simple and good.
This meal fits busy weeks. It reheats with ease and keeps flavor. A little fresh basil or parsley on top adds color and a clean finish.
From Kathy at Simply Cooked Recipes at https://www.simplycookedrecipes.com. Short keywords include ricotta, spinach, and pasta. Longtail phrases include how to stuff manicotti, easy manicotti for dinner, and best baked manicotti. Semantics used include classic manicotti recipe for families, simple manicotti dinner, and baked manicotti weeknight recipe.
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