Million Dollar Manicotti
Million Dollar Manicotti is a sumptuous pasta dish that combines creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and fresh spinach, all enveloped in tender manicotti shells and smothered in rich marinara sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or special occasions, this delightful recipe guarantees to impress and satisfy every palate. With its simple preparation steps, you’ll find it easy to recreate this restaurant-quality meal at home.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 manicotti shells
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, sautéed
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Sauté fresh spinach in a medium saucepan until wilted (3–4 minutes), then set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, mozzarella, half of the Parmesan cheese, sautéed spinach, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and basil until well combined.
- Carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the cheese mixture and arrange them in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes covered; then remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed manicotti shells (about 300g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg