Mama's Manicotti

Bring the comfort of traditional Italian cooking to your table with "Mama's Manicotti," a hearty and satisfying baked pasta dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. This recipe features tender manicotti shells stuffed with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and savory spinach, elevated with classic Italian seasonings like garlic powder and dried herbs. Nestled in a rich marinara sauce and topped with golden, bubbly mozzarella, every bite delivers indulgent flavors and textures. Easy to prepare with a foolproof filling technique, this meal is ready in just over an hour, serving six generously. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan for an irresistible, restaurant-quality presentation that will have your family coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 pieces manicotti pasta shells
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 10 ounces frozen spinach (thawed, drained, and chopped)
• 1 piece large egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 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 pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water for 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 ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, thawed and chopped spinach, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Step 4

Fill a piping bag or a large resealable plastic bag (cutting off one corner for an improvised piping bag) with the ricotta mixture. Carefully pipe the filling into each manicotti shell, ensuring the shell is fully stuffed.

Step 5

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange the filled manicotti shells in a single layer over the sauce.

Step 6

Pour the remaining 2 cups of marinara sauce evenly over the manicotti shells, ensuring they are well-covered to prevent them from drying out during baking.

Step 7

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the marinara sauce.

Step 8

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 9

Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 10

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2739.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5344.4

Total Fat 137.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 64.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 607.9mg	0%
Sodium 4407.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 815.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.3g	0%
Total Sugars 41.2g
Protein 240.7g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 3992.6mg	0%
Iron 38.3mg	0%
Potassium 3006.0mg	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: 22.6%

Protein: 17.6%

Carbs: 59.8%