Basil & Spinach Manicotti

Basil and Spinach Manicotti with Marinara

Ingredients:

1 Box of Manicotti
1 1/2 cup marinara
1/2 cup Alfredo
1 cup Mozzarella
1 cup Italian Cheese blend
1 1/2 cup Ricotta
1/2 cup Parmesan
1/2 cup diced scallions
1 cup diced onions
4 shredded leaves basil
3 cloves minced garlic
4 cups baby spinach (shredded)
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/4 cup minced italian parsley
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
1/2 tsp Turmeric

The Filling

The Greens
In a pan, heat 2 Tbsp of Olive Oil. Add green pepper, onion, and scallions and cook till most the water evaporates but not to caramelized point. 

Go on to add the basil, minced garlic and parsley. 

Cook for about 5 mins till the flavors in the herbs and garlic are released, then add the baby spinach. 

After adding the spinach, turn up the heat to allow fast water evaporation and to prevent the mixture from getting soggy. 

Next, add your seasonings and keep stirring till mixture for 3-5mins till most liquid has evaporated. 

Turn off stove and set aside. 

Cheese Mixture

In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, and Italian Cheese Blend.

Blend the mixture of cheese together till unified. 

Cover and set aside. 

The Sauce

In a bowl, combine the Alfredo and Marinara.

  Feel free to add more of the sauce you prefer. 

Mix till you no longer have two different colors.

Putting it All Together

*Heat a pot of salted water till boil and add the manicotti pasta to cook until al dente. Drain and add 1/2 tbsp of olive oil to prevent sticking. 

*Preheat oven too 400 degrees and move rack to the middle of the oven. 

*Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and spray the bottom with nonstick oil. 

*Pour half of your sauce mixture to cover the bottom of the pan.

*Fill each manicotti with about 2 tbsp of the spinach mix as well as 2 tbsp of the cheese mix. 

  (Watch the video for different ways to fill the manicotti)

*After the 1st layer, you can add more sauce and/or parmesan cheese before starting the 2nd layer. 

*Once you've filled all the manicotti, pour the rest of the sauce mixture on top, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, black pepper, and an herb of your choice (I used chives). 

*Bake in 400 degree oven for about 30 to 40 mins.

Serve with protein of choice. I served mine with Lemon and Marinara chicken. 

Click here to see how I made it! 

Try it and let me know what you think.

~Bon Appétit~