Homemade Spinach Manicotti
User Reviews
4.9
Homemade Spinach Manicotti
Description
This Homemade Spinach Manicotti starts with crespelles, thin savory pancakes that serve as tender wrappers for the filling. The filling combines ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella (with some reserved for topping), well-drained thawed spinach, egg, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Each crespelle is filled with about 1/4 cup of the spinach cheese mixture, then rolled tightly and placed seam side down in a baking dish layered with marinara sauce.
The dish is topped with additional marinara and shredded mozzarella before covering with foil and baking at 375°F for about 25 minutes until hot, bubbly, and cheesy on top. The result is a soft, creamy interior with melted cheese under a bright red tomato sauce. The spinach adds moisture and earthiness balanced by rich cheeses and the light crespelle skin.
Manicotti can be sliced and served as a satisfying vegetarian main or part of a larger Italian meal. Using good quality marinara and drying out the spinach thoroughly prevents excess sauce or sogginess. Substitutions for vegetarian Parmesan are suggested for dietary preferences.
Ingredients
- 16 crespelles homemade
- 15 oz ricotta cheese I use Polly-O, part skim
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese reserve 1/2 cup Polly-O, shredded, part-skim
- 1 egg large
- 10 oz spinach thawed and squeezed really well, frozen, in package
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese grated, Regianno
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- black pepper (to taste)
- 2 1/2 cups marinara sauce jarred or homemade
Instructions
- Start by making the crespelles (see recipe link above)
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1-1/2 cups of the mozzarella, egg, spinach, parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.
- Fill each crespelle with 1/4 cup spinach filling and roll.
- In a large baking dish, (or two smaller dishes) pour 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the dish. Place rolled manicotti seem side down onto baking dish. Top with 1 1/2 cups more sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake about about 25 minutes, until hot and bubbling, and the cheese is melted.
- *Use substitute for vegetarian parmesan.
Notes
- A vegetarian Parmesan substitute can be used to accommodate dietary preferences without affecting the filling texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 277 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2manicotti | |
| Calories | 277kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 22.5g | 45% |
| Fat | 12.5g | 19% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 77mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 698mg | 29% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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