Three Cheese Manicotti

 Three Cheese Manicotti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “Marty, you don’t add enough cheese,” said no one ever.  I have a thing for cheese so I drown my recipes in tons of cheese, glorious cheese.  This Three Cheese Manicotti is a great example.  Perfectly cooked Manicotti pasta filled with a mix of spinach and ricotta, and covered with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.  Oh my goodness this is so good.  Serve with some crusty Italian bread and a simple side salad and you’ve got a restaurant quality meal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Cheese Spinach Manicotti

1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells

5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

2 cups ricotta cheese

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 egg

2 tablespoons dried basil

1 box of frozen spinach, thawed and all liquid removed 

1 jar (26 ounces) Ragu Chunky Tomato, Garlic and Onion pasta sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add manicotti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente and then drain (optional: drizzle lightly with oil to prevent the noodles from sticking). Remove from heat and set aside on wax paper or parchment paper to cool.

 

 

 

 

Thaw the frozen spinach and wrap in a clean towel.  Squeeze out all liquid until as dry as possible.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a large bowl, mix the spinach, 3 cups of the mozzarella cheese, 2 cups of the ricotta cheese and one cup of Parmesan cheese together.  Add the garlic, egg, and basil. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.

  

 

 

 

 

Stuff the cooked manicotti noodles with the cheese mixture. Use a piping bag or make your own by filling a resealable bag with the mixture, seal it tight and then twist it so that the filling is at the bottom. Then snip the corner so that it fits into the manicotti for filling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Spread about 2 cups pasta sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange stuffed manicotti in the dish side by side so they are touching. Cover with remaining sauce. Cover the top with the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese.  You can actually add as much as you want.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Bake 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven. until mozzarella is melted and bubbly and slightly brown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Can I Freeze this Three Cheese Manicotti?

Yes, but only before you cook it.  I love to make this in advance so I can pop it in the oven in a pinch! To freeze manicotti just cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.  When you’re ready to eat it, just let it thaw 15 minutes and then follow the cooking instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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