Creamy Spinach and Cheesy Manicotti Bake
Indulge in this deliciously creamy and cheesy Manicotti dish that combines the rich flavors of spinach, mozzarella, ricotta, and cream cheese. This easy-to-make recipe simplifies the process by eliminating the need to pre-cook the pasta shells, making it a perfect comfort food for any occasion. With hints of Italian seasoning and a savory sausage marinara sauce, this dish promises a delightful experience with every bite. Whether you're serving it for a family dinner or a special gathering, this Manicotti bake is sure to impress your guests with its vibrant flavors and satisfying textures.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen spinach
10 ounces (Thawed completely and squeezed dry)
Low-fat part-skim mozzarella cheese
8 ounces (Shredded)
Low-fat or fat-free ricotta cheese
10 ounces (N/A)
Low-fat or fat-free cream cheese
4 ounces (Softened)
Shredded Romano cheese blend (Parmesan, Asiago)
1 cup (1/2 cup for mixing and 1/2 cup for topping)
Large eggs
2 (N/A)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Italian seasoning
1/8 teaspoon (N/A)
Garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon (N/A)
Uncooked manicotti noodles
As needed (N/A)
Hot Italian sausage links
3 links (Casing removed, browned, and drained)
Paul Newman marinara sauce
2 jars (N/A)
Fresh mozzarella cheese
As needed for topping (Sliced)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the hot Italian sausage links until fully cooked. Once browned, remove from heat and drain any excess grease. Leave the sausage in the skillet to keep warm.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed and well-drained spinach, mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, shredded Romano cheese mix, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and creamy.
4
Spread about 2 cups of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9x13 inch casserole dish to create a base layer.
5
Using a piping bag, zip-lock bag with a cut corner, or a spoon, carefully fill each uncooked manicotti noodle with the cheese and spinach filling. Aim to pack the filling tightly, allowing it to overflow slightly at the ends for a generous portion. Place each filled manicotti in the casserole dish on top of the sauce.
6
Continue filling and placing the manicotti until you fill the dish. You should be able to fit around 12 manicotti in the casserole, though leftover filling can be frozen for later use.
7
Once all the manicotti are arranged in the dish, pour the remaining marinara sauce over the pasta, ensuring that all exposed manicotti are covered. Use about 2 ½ cups of sauce.
8
Layer slices of fresh mozzarella cheese over the top of the sauce and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of the shredded cheese mix evenly over everything.
9
If not baking immediately, cover the dish with foil and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. Otherwise, cover with foil and place the dish in the preheated oven.
10
Bake the manicotti covered with foil for 50 minutes. After that time, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the top to brown slightly.
11
Once done, remove from the oven and let the dish rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Spinach and Cheesy Manicotti Bake?
It is a rich pasta dish featuring manicotti shells filled with a blend of spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, and cream cheese, baked in a sausage marinara sauce.
Do I need to pre-cook the manicotti noodles?
No, this recipe is designed so that the uncooked manicotti shells cook directly in the oven while surrounded by sauce.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How should the frozen spinach be prepared?
The frozen spinach should be thawed completely and squeezed dry to remove all excess moisture before mixing.
What kind of sausage is used in this dish?
The recipe calls for three links of hot Italian sausage.
How do I prepare the Italian sausage links?
Remove the casings, brown the meat in a skillet, and drain any excess grease before adding it to the dish.
What cheeses are mixed into the filling?
The filling includes mozzarella, ricotta, cream cheese, and a portion of the shredded Romano cheese blend.
How much ricotta cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 10 ounces of low-fat or fat-free ricotta cheese.
Can I use fat-free cheese in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe suggests using low-fat or fat-free versions of mozzarella, ricotta, and cream cheese.
How much cream cheese is included in the filling?
The filling uses 4 ounces of softened cream cheese.
What is the Romano cheese blend composed of?
The blend typically consists of shredded Romano, Parmesan, and Asiago cheeses.
How much Romano cheese blend goes into the filling?
You should use 1/2 cup of the Romano cheese blend in the filling mix and save the other 1/2 cup for the topping.
How many eggs are used in the filling?
The recipe uses two large eggs.
What seasonings are added to the cheese mixture?
The mixture is seasoned with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
How much Italian seasoning is required?
The recipe calls for 1/8 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
How much garlic powder should I use?
You should use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
How much marinara sauce goes on the bottom of the dish?
Spread approximately 2 cups of marinara sauce across the bottom of the casserole dish.
How should the manicotti noodles be filled?
Use a piping bag, a zip-lock bag with a cut corner, or a spoon to pack the cheese and spinach mixture tightly into the uncooked shells.
How many manicotti shells can fit in a 9x13 inch dish?
Typically, you can fit about 12 filled manicotti shells in a standard 9x13 inch casserole dish.
What should I do if I have leftover filling?
Any leftover filling can be frozen and saved for future use.
How much marinara sauce is poured over the top of the shells?
Use approximately 2 and a half cups of sauce to cover the arranged manicotti shells.
What is the recommended brand of marinara sauce?
The recipe specifies using Paul Newman marinara sauce.
What topping is added before baking?
The dish is topped with slices of fresh mozzarella and the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded Romano cheese blend.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the dish, cover it with foil, and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake.
How long does the manicotti bake while covered?
The dish should bake covered with foil for 50 minutes.
How long does the dish bake after removing the foil?
After removing the foil, bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the cheese to brown.
Why should the dish rest after baking?
Resting the dish for 10 minutes allows the flavors to meld and the cheese to set slightly.
Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?
Yes, the sausage can be omitted to make this a vegetarian-friendly dish.
What type of baking dish is needed?
A standard 9x13 inch casserole dish is recommended.
How much salt and pepper is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.