Spinach Cheese Manicotti Meatless Recipes

KITTENCAL'S SPINACH & FOUR-CHEESE MANICOTTI (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• In a skillet, saute onion (if using) in oil for about 4 minutes or until softened (adding in the garlic the last 2 minutes).
• In a mixing bowl combine the ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cup mozza cheese, cream cheese, 6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning; beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and well combined.
• Season with white salt or seasoned salt and black pepper to taste.
• Stir in onion mixture and spinach; mix well to combine.
• Spoon into cooked and cooled manicotti shells.
• Pour half of the pasta sauce into the prepared baking dish.
• Arrange shells over sauce (at this point you may cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, or continue with the recipe as follows).
• Top with the remaining sauce, use a spoon to spread the sauce over the shells (the sauce does not have to cover the shells completely).
• Sprinkle about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (or to taste) over the sauce.
• Cover and bake for 25 minutes.
• Uncover and top with mozzeralla cheese (any amount desired).
• Bake 5 mins longer, or until cheese is melted.
• Let stand 10 mins before serving.
• Note; If desired the spinach can be omitted completely.

NO BOIL BAKED MANICOTTI RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix spaghetti sauce and water until well combined. Set aside.
• In a large bowl combine chopped spinach, ricotta, a third of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, pesto, oregano, garlic powder, and a couple large pinches of salt and pepper.
• Transfer to a piping bag (a gallon Ziploc baggy works well too).
• Spread half the spaghetti sauce mixture in an even layer in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Cut the tip off your piping bag about the width of the manicotti noodles. Fill each noodle with filling.
• Nestle filled manicotti into the baking dish. Then pour the remaining sauce in an even layer on top of the noodles.
• Top manicotti with remaining shredded mozzarella. Cover pan tightly with foil and bake for about 50 minutes or until the noodles are just about cooked through.
• Remove foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the noodles are al dente. Broil on high for a minute or so if desired.
• Let rest for a few minutes before garnishing and serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and grated Parmesan and enjoy!

MAKE-AHEAD SPINACH MANICOTTI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix ricotta, spinach, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and seasonings. In another large bowl, mix spaghetti sauce and water; spread 1 cup into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Fill uncooked manicotti shells with ricotta mixture; arrange over sauce. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce mixture over top. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake, uncovered, 40-50 minutes or until manicotti is tender. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked casserole. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

SPINACH CHEESE MANICOTTI

Steps:

• .In a skillet, saute onion and garlicin oil and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, cream cheese, half the mozzarella, half the parmesan, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and beat until well mixed.
• Drain spinach with several paper towels and squeeze until spinach is well drained.
• Add spinach and onion to cheese mixture and mix well.
• Spoon this mixture into manicotti shells, using 1 teaspoon at a time.
• Be careful not to tear shells.
• Pour half of spaghetti sauce in bottom of 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Arrange shells over the sauce and top with remaining sauce.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven , uncover and sprinkle remaining cheeses over top.
• Return to oven until cheese melts.