Manicotti Filling

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Servings: 4 Difficulty: Intermediate
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Creamy ricotta, spinach, and herb filling for homemade manicotti
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Manicotti Filling

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 4 Calories: 38.6

Description

This classic manicotti filling combines creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and aromatic herbs for a rich, satisfying center. The mixture of cheeses and vegetables creates a tender, flavorful bite that pairs perfectly with pasta shells. Ideal for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings, this recipe brings authentic Italian comfort to your table. The addition of egg binds the ingredients, ensuring the filling holds together when baked. Simple to prepare with pantry staples, it offers a customizable base for your favorite pasta dishes. Serve hot with marinara sauce for a complete meal that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Sauté sliced scallions in 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small frying pan for about 5 minutes until softened.
  2. In a large bowl, slightly beat the eggs.
  3. Add the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, thawed and drained spinach, beaten eggs, snipped parsley, sautéed scallions, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
  4. Stir thoroughly with a large spoon until all ingredients are well combined and the spinach is broken up.
  5. Cook manicotti shells according to package directions, but undercook them by about 2 minutes to prevent breaking.
  6. Carefully stuff the cooked manicotti shells with the filling mixture.
  7. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
  8. Place the stuffed manicotti side by side in a single layer in the baking dish.
  9. Spoon remaining sauce over the manicotti and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.
  10. Cover the dish and bake at 325ðF (163ðC) for 30 minutes.
  11. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 38.6kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.1g1%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 47.7mg2%
Total Carbohydrate 5.7g2%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 5.7g
Protein 3.9g8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Ensure frozen chopped spinach is thoroughly thawed and squeezed as dry as possible to prevent the filling from becoming watery.

Undercooking the pasta shells slightly helps them maintain structure during baking and absorb excess moisture from the cheeses.

Scallions can be used raw if preferred, but sautéing adds a sweeter, milder flavor.

Leftover filling can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

For a vegan version, substitute dairy cheeses with vegan alternatives and use flax eggs or commercial egg replacer instead of chicken eggs.

Keywords: manicotti, filling, ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, parmesan, italian, pasta, baking, herbs, cheese, scallions, eggs, comfort food, homemade, dinner, easy, classic, stuffing, vegetable
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