Cindi's Stuffed Manicotti

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Cindi’s Stuffed Manicotti, a classic Italian-inspired dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This recipe features tender manicotti shells generously filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, perfectly complemented by nutrient-packed spinach and a medley of aromatic herbs like basil, oregano, and garlic powder. Smothered in rich marinara sauce and topped with melty mozzarella, this baked masterpiece boasts a golden, bubbly finish that will have everyone reaching for seconds. With a prep time of just 30 minutes, this easy baked manicotti recipe brings restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen. Serve it with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 pieces manicotti shells
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 2 pieces large eggs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the manicotti shells in a large pot of salted boiling water for about 6-7 minutes, or until they are slightly undercooked. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, chopped spinach, eggs, garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the filling is creamy and well-incorporated.

Step 4

Transfer the cheese mixture into a piping bag or a large gallon-size zip-top bag with a small corner cut off.

Step 5

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the dish.

Step 6

Carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the cheese mixture by gently piping the filling into both ends of the shell until it’s full.

Step 7

Arrange the filled manicotti shells in a single layer in the baking dish.

Step 8

Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells, ensuring all shells are covered with sauce to prevent drying out.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.

Step 12

Let the manicotti cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2346.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3950.1

Total Fat 158.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 874.2mg	0%
Sodium 3964.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 431.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.5g	0%
Total Sugars 26.8g
Protein 214.6g	0%

Vitamin D 80IU	0%
Calcium 4551.9mg	0%
Iron 16.6mg	0%
Potassium 2302.7mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.6%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 43.0%