Here’s a classic Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni recipe—creamy, cheesy, and perfect for a comforting Italian meal 🌿🧀
Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen, thawed and drained)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
Other:
- 12 cannelloni tubes (uncooked or pre-cooked)
- 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil for greasing
- Optional: fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: 375°F / 190°C. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare filling:
- If using fresh spinach, sauté lightly in olive oil until wilted, then chop.
- In a bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Stuff cannelloni: Using a small spoon or piping bag, fill each cannelloni tube with the spinach-ricotta mixture.
- Assemble in baking dish:
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish.
- Arrange stuffed cannelloni in a single layer.
- Pour remaining sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake 25–30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve: Let sit 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Tips
- Make-ahead: Assemble and refrigerate for a few hours before baking; extend baking time slightly if cold from fridge.
- Extra flavor: Add sautéed onions, garlic, or mushrooms to the filling.
- Sauce options: Use a creamy béchamel sauce instead of marinara for a white cannelloni.
Variations
- Meat option: Mix in cooked ground beef or Italian sausage with spinach and ricotta.
- Cheese variation: Add goat cheese or fontina for richer flavor.
- Vegetable boost: Fold in roasted zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
This dish is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—a perfect vegetarian comfort meal.
I can also give a shortcut version using no-boil pasta sheets rolled with filling for faster prep if you want.
