Italian cuisine is renowned worldwide for its rich flavors, and one dish that truly stands out is Manicotti Tubes stuffed with Spinach and Ricotta. This classic Italian dish is a perfect blend of creamy ricotta cheese, nutritious spinach, and perfectly cooked pasta. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make at home!
Ingredients
To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need:
- Manicotti Shells
- Butter or Olive Oil
- Whole milk Ricotta
- Grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
- Spinach
- Onion
- Egg
- Parsley
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Pasta Sauce
Instructions
- Preparation: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating, grease a baking dish with butter or olive oil. This prevents the manicotti from sticking to the dish.
- Cook the Spinach: Next, you’ll need to cook the spinach. In a large skillet on the stove top, cook spinach in a small amount of olive oil until wilted. Once cooked, drain all liquids and chop the spinach. This will be mixed with the ricotta cheese to create the filling for the manicotti.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium pan, mix together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and cooked spinach. Season with salt to taste. This creates a rich and creamy filling that is packed with flavor.
- Boil the Manicotti Shells: Now, it’s time to prepare the manicotti shells. Cook them according to the package instructions, usually by boiling for about 10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the shells and let them cool briefly.
- Stuff the Manicotti Shells: Once the shells have cooled, you can begin stuffing them with the spinach and ricotta mixture. You can use a piping bag or a spoon to do this. Be sure to fill each shell generously.
- Add the Sauce: After stuffing the shells, place them in the greased baking dish. Pour your favorite Italian pasta sauce over the stuffed manicotti, making sure they are fully covered. This will keep the pasta from drying out while baking.
- Bake: Finally, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. The result is a delicious, bubbling dish of manicotti that is sure to impress.
Tips
- Don’t let the cooked manicotti shells sit unfilled for too long, because they will flatten, lose their shape and when you try to fill them, they will break.
- Fill the pasta shells immediately after you have cooked the manicotti, drained them and briefly cooled them.
- Keep in mind that the quality of the ingredients is essential for creating the best flavor possible.
In conclusion, this Manicotti Tubes Stuffed with Spinach and Ricotta recipe is a delightful journey into the heart of Italian cuisine. It’s a dish that brings together the creamy richness of ricotta, the nutritional goodness of spinach, and the hearty satisfaction of pasta. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is straightforward and easy to follow. So why wait? Bring a taste of Italy to your dinner table tonight with this delicious and authentic dish. Buon appetito!
