Savory Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni
Indulge in a comforting and delicious dish of Savory Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni, inspired by the beloved Romano's Macaroni Grill. This recipe showcases tender pasta tubes filled with a rich mixture of sautéed chicken, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes blended with creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. Smothered in a luscious combination of Alfredo and marinara sauces, and topped with a sprinkle of savory Parmesan, this dish is perfect for any family gathering or weeknight dinner. Serve it piping hot and garnished with fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor. Gather your loved ones around the table and enjoy this delightful Italian classic!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken breasts, cooked
8 ounces (diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
Fresh spinach
1 ounce (chopped)
Sun-dried tomatoes
1 ounce (sliced)
Ricotta cheese
16 ounces (none)
Mozzarella cheese
3 ounces (shredded)
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1 teaspoon (none)
Lasagna noodles
12 sheets (precooked)
Alfredo sauce
16 ounces (none)
Marinara sauce
16 ounces (none)
Parmesan cheese
3 ounces (grated)
Instructions
1
1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
2. Dice the cooked chicken breasts into 1/2-inch pieces and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
3
3. Add the chopped fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, black pepper, and salt to the bowl. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until the filling is well combined.
4
4. Lay out the lasagna noodles on a clean surface. Place two to three rounded tablespoons of the chicken mixture along the center of each noodle.
5
5. Carefully roll the noodles around the filling, starting from one end and rolling until they are fully enclosed, resembling a cigar shape.
6
6. Position the filled cannelloni side by side in a shallow, ovenproof baking dish.
7
7. In a separate bowl, blend the Alfredo sauce and marinara sauce together until evenly mixed. Pour this sauce generously over the cannelloni, ensuring they are all covered.
8
8. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauced cannelloni.
9
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
10
10. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (73.9°C).
11
11. Once done, remove from the oven and serve hot, either family style or on individual plates. For an elegant finish, sprinkle with freshly diced tomatoes, and garnish with basil or Italian parsley.
Nutrition Information
13.5g
Fat
27.5g
Carbs
18.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni?
It is a comforting Italian-inspired dish consisting of pasta tubes filled with chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with Alfredo and marinara sauces.
What restaurant inspired this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the beloved Romano's Macaroni Grill.
What are the main ingredients for the filling?
The filling includes cooked chicken breasts, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese.
How should the chicken be prepared for the recipe?
The chicken breasts should be cooked and diced into 1/2-inch pieces before being added to the mixture.
How much spinach is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 ounce of fresh spinach, which should be chopped.
What kind of pasta is used for the cannelloni?
The recipe uses 12 sheets of precooked lasagna noodles that are rolled around the filling.
What cheeses are used in this dish?
This recipe uses ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How do I mix the sauces for the topping?
In a separate bowl, blend 16 ounces of Alfredo sauce and 16 ounces of marinara sauce together until evenly mixed.
How much filling should I put on each noodle?
Place two to three rounded tablespoons of the chicken mixture along the center of each noodle.
How do I shape the cannelloni?
Roll the lasagna noodles around the filling starting from one end until they are fully enclosed in a cigar shape.
What is the total baking time for the dish?
The total baking time is 40 minutes: 20 minutes covered with foil and another 20 minutes uncovered.
What should the internal temperature of the dish be?
The cannelloni should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 73.9 degrees Celsius.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 300 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
Each serving contains 18.75 grams of protein.
How much fat is in the dish?
The dish contains 13.5 grams of fat per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates?
There are 27.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What garnishes are recommended?
The recipe suggests garnishing with freshly diced tomatoes and herbs like basil or Italian parsley.
Do I need to cover the baking dish?
Yes, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes of baking.
How much ricotta cheese is required?
The recipe requires 16 ounces of ricotta cheese.
What seasoning is used for the filling?
The filling is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper and 1 teaspoon of salt.
How much Parmesan cheese is used?
3 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese is sprinkled over the sauce before baking.
Can I use fresh sun-dried tomatoes?
The recipe calls for 1 ounce of sliced sun-dried tomatoes for the filling mixture.
Is the lasagna noodle precooked?
Yes, you should use precooked lasagna sheets to make the rolling process easier.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How should the cannelloni be arranged in the dish?
The filled cannelloni should be positioned side by side in a shallow, ovenproof baking dish.
How do I ensure the cannelloni are well-coated?
Pour the blended sauce generously over the cannelloni to ensure they are all fully covered.
Is this a good recipe for family gatherings?
Yes, the description notes it is perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
What type of mozzarella is needed?
You should use 3 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese.
How should the dish be served?
Serve the dish hot, either family-style on a large platter or on individual plates.