Creamy Spinach and Sausage Stuffed Manicotti
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Creamy Spinach and Sausage Stuffed Manicotti, a perfect one-dish meal for family gatherings or cozy nights in. This recipe is a delightful combination of tender manicotti shells filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh spinach, complemented by seasoned Italian sausage and a rich marinara sauce. It's easy to prepare, satisfying, and sure to impress your loved ones. Serve it with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete dinner that everyone will enjoy!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh Spinach
5 ounces (roughly chopped)
Grated Mozzarella Cheese
3 ounces (for stuffing and optional topping)
Ricotta Cheese
7 ounces (part-skim if desired)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Dried Parsley
1/2 tablespoon (dried)
Salt
1 dash (to taste)
Hot or Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage
1/2 lb (casing removed)
Marinara Sauce
26 ounces (your choice)
Manicotti Shells
4 ounces (uncooked (about 7 shells))
Water
1/2 cup (for sauce)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage for 14-16 minutes, covering it and turning occasionally, until it is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center. Remove from heat and chop into 1/2-inch pieces.
3
In a separate skillet, steam the chopped spinach until wilted. Remove from heat.
4
Add the chopped sausage back to the skillet and combine with the marinara sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat while you prepare the filling.
5
In a bowl, mix the fresh spinach, ricotta cheese, 3 ounces of grated mozzarella, beaten egg, dried parsley, and dash of salt until well combined to form the filling.
6
Stuff the manicotti shells with the cheese and spinach mixture carefully using a small spoon or piping bag.
7
Arrange the stuffed shells in an 8" x 13" glass casserole dish.
8
Pour the sausage and marinara sauce mixture over the stuffed shells, and then add 1/2 cup of water into the dish.
9
Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
10
After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. If desired, add extra shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Spinach and Sausage Stuffed Manicotti?
It is a comforting one-dish meal featuring tender manicotti shells filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh spinach, topped with a rich marinara and Italian sausage sauce.
What type of sausage is recommended for this recipe?
You can use either hot or sweet Italian turkey sausage with the casings removed.
How long should I cook the Italian sausage?
The sausage should be cooked in a skillet over medium heat for 14-16 minutes until it is fully cooked and no longer pink.
Do I need to boil the manicotti shells before stuffing them?
No, the recipe uses 4 ounces of uncooked manicotti shells which cook in the oven with the sauce and added water.
What is the required oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the casserole.
How do I prepare the spinach for the filling?
The fresh spinach should be roughly chopped and then steamed in a skillet until wilted.
What ingredients are in the cheese filling?
The filling consists of fresh spinach, ricotta cheese, 3 ounces of mozzarella, a beaten egg, dried parsley, and a dash of salt.
How much ricotta cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 7 ounces of ricotta cheese, and you can use part-skim if desired.
How much mozzarella cheese goes inside the shells?
You should use 3 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese for the stuffing mixture.
Is there an egg in the recipe?
Yes, one beaten egg is used to bind the cheese and spinach filling together.
What size baking dish should I use?
An 8-inch by 13-inch glass casserole dish is recommended for this recipe.
How much marinara sauce is required?
The recipe uses 26 ounces of your choice of marinara sauce.
Why is water added to the casserole dish?
A 1/2 cup of water is added to the dish to provide the necessary moisture for the uncooked manicotti shells to soften while baking.
How long does the manicotti bake in the oven?
The dish bakes for a total of 50 minutes: 45 minutes covered with foil and an additional 5 minutes uncovered.
Should I cover the dish while baking?
Yes, cover the casserole dish with foil for the first 45 minutes of baking.
How many manicotti shells are typically in a 4-ounce portion?
A 4-ounce portion usually consists of about 7 manicotti shells.
When should I chop the sausage?
Cook the sausage links first, then remove them from the heat and chop them into 1/2-inch pieces before adding them to the sauce.
Can I add extra cheese on top?
Yes, you can add extra shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese on top during the final 5 minutes of baking.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to provide 4 servings.
What are the primary seasonings used?
The recipe uses dried parsley and a dash of salt to season the filling.
What is the best way to stuff the shells?
You can carefully fill the shells using a small spoon or a piping bag.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
While the recipe calls for 5 ounces of fresh spinach, you could use frozen spinach if it is thawed and squeezed dry before mixing.
Is this considered a healthy option?
The recipe uses turkey sausage and offers the option for part-skim ricotta, making it a lighter version of traditional manicotti.
What should I serve with this meal?
It is recommended to serve this dish with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete dinner.
Does the sauce need to be simmered?
Yes, the chopped sausage and marinara sauce should simmer on low heat while you prepare the cheese filling.
How much parsley is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 tablespoon of dried parsley.
What is the total preparation and cook time?
Between prep, sausage cooking (15 mins), and baking (50 mins), the total time is approximately 1 hour and 15-20 minutes.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish features tender pasta with a creamy, cheesy interior and a hearty, meaty sauce topping.
Can I use different types of sausage?
While turkey sausage is suggested, you can substitute with pork Italian sausage if preferred.
Is this a good recipe for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a perfect one-dish meal for family gatherings or cozy nights in.