Description
This Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni is a delicious and comforting Italian baked pasta dish featuring tender cannelloni tubes filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, sautéed spinach, and aromatic spices. Covered in flavorful marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella, it’s perfect for a hearty family meal or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 12 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Other
- 8 oz cannelloni tubes
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the cannelloni.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, thawed and drained spinach, shredded mozzarella, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper until well combined.
- Stuff the Cannelloni Tubes: Using a piping bag or a spoon, carefully fill each cannelloni tube with the prepared spinach and ricotta mixture, ensuring they are fully stuffed without breaking.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread a generous layer of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed cannelloni tubes in a single layer over the sauce. Cover the tubes with the remaining marinara sauce, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake and Broil: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Afterward, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and become bubbly. For a golden and lightly crisp top, broil the dish for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- If fresh spinach is used, sauté and drain it well to remove excess moisture before mixing.
- Using a piping bag makes stuffing the cannelloni easier and less messy.
- Broiling at the end adds a beautiful golden finish to the cheese topping.
- Let the cannelloni rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- Feel free to add nutmeg to the filling for an extra layer of flavor.
- Gluten-free cannelloni tubes can be substituted to make the dish gluten-free.
