Spinach Manicotti in Creamy Tomato Sauce

(41)
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Servings:
4

Our fuss-free method for stuffing pasta shells turns this classic Italian dish into a weeknight option.

Ingredients

  • 8 manicotti shells (from an 8-ounce package)

  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese

  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan (2 ounces)

  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

  • 1 package (10 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

  • 2 cups prepared marinara sauce

  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain well and arrange in a single layer on an oiled rimmed baking sheet. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and lemon zest. Stir in spinach and season filling to taste with salt and pepper.

  2. Transfer filling to a large zip-top plastic bag. Twist and squeeze bag so filling is in one corner. With scissors, snip a 3/4-inch opening in corner. Pipe filling into both ends of each pasta shell. Arrange stuffed shells in an 8-inch square glass baking dish.

  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together marinara sauce, oregano, and cream. Pour sauce evenly over stuffed shells and top with 1/2 cup Parmesan. Bake until sauce in center of dish is bubbling and Parmesan is browned in spots, about 30 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

    med106330_1210_din_spinach_manicotti.jpg

Cook's Notes

For a seafood flavor, use 1/2 pound peeled, deveined shrimp, finely chopped, instead of the spinach.

Originally appeared: Everyday Food, December 2010

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