Andy Montoya
If you're looking for an Italian dish that's both delicious and easy to make, Priano Spinach and Cheese Manicotti might be the perfect choice. This classic recipe combines ricotta and mozzarella cheeses with spinach and Italian seasoning, stuffed into manicotti shells and baked in a marinara sauce. While some have criticised the dish for being bland and lacking in spinach, others have praised its flavour and convenience. In this paragraph, we'll explore the key ingredients and steps involved in creating this mouthwatering meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Bland, overwhelmingly tastes like ricotta |
| Texture | Tender, delicate, tough, chewy |
| Ingredients | Manicotti shells, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, spinach, egg, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, parmesan cheese |
| Nutrition | 16g protein, 10g fat, 2g fiber, 5g sugar per serving |
| Cost | $5.55 for a 19-ounce tray of 10 manicotti |
| Serving size | 4-6 servings |
| Preparation time | 45 minutes to an hour |
| Brand | Priano |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and preparation
To make Priano Spinach and Cheese Manicotti, you will need the following ingredients:
- Priano Manicotti shells
- Ricotta cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Spinach (thawed if frozen)
- An egg
- Italian seasoning
- Priano Marinara Sauce
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
You will also need a large pot, a mixing bowl, a baking dish, and some aluminium foil.
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) or the temperature specified on the Manicotti package. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Priano Manicotti shells and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the shells and set them aside.
In your mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, spinach, egg, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated. Using a spoon or a piping bag, stuff each cooked manicotti shell with the spinach and cheese mixture.
Spread a thin layer of Priano Marinara Sauce on the bottom of your baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer on top of the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are evenly coated. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminium foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you desire extra cheese, remove the foil towards the end of the baking time, sprinkle on some more cheese, and return the dish to the oven for a few minutes.
Once cooked, remove the foil and let the manicotti rest for a few minutes before serving. You can sprinkle some fresh basil or parsley on top for an extra pop of color and freshness. This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad and some garlic bread. Enjoy!
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Cooking the manicotti shells
Now it's time to stuff the shells. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, spinach, an egg, and Italian seasoning. Mix these ingredients well until they are evenly blended. Using a spoon or a piping bag, fill each cooked manicotti shell with the spinach and cheese mixture.
Once all the shells are stuffed, it's time to assemble the dish for baking. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer on top of the sauce. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the shells, ensuring they are evenly coated. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Finally, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden.
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Making the spinach and cheese mixture
To make the spinach and cheese mixture, start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the manicotti shells and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the shells and set them aside. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, spinach (make sure it's thawed if frozen), an egg, and Italian seasoning. Mix these ingredients well until everything is evenly incorporated. You can add some salt and pepper to taste. If you want a more decadent dish, you can also mix in some grated parmesan cheese at this stage.
The spinach and cheese mixture is what will be stuffed into the manicotti shells. You can use a spoon or a piping bag to fill the shells with the mixture. It's important to ensure that the mixture is evenly distributed among the shells so that each bite is consistent. This step can be a bit messy, so feel free to use gloves or a spoon with a thin edge to make it easier. Take your time and be careful not to tear the shells.
If you have any leftover spinach and cheese mixture, you can always freeze it for later use or incorporate it into other dishes. For instance, you could use it as a topping for baked potatoes or stuffed peppers, or even as a filling for omelets or crepes.
Once the manicotti shells are stuffed, you can arrange them in a single layer on top of a thin layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are evenly coated. Finally, sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top for an extra cheesy touch.
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Assembling the dish
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, spinach, egg, and Italian seasoning. Mix these ingredients well until they are evenly incorporated. Using a spoon or a piping bag, stuff each cooked manicotti shell with the spinach and cheese mixture.
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer on top of the sauce. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the shells, ensuring they are evenly coated. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden.
Once cooked, remove the foil and let the manicotti rest for a few minutes before serving.
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Baking and serving
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or the temperature specified on the manicotti packaging. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. You can use the Priano Marinara Sauce or make your own. If you want to add meat to the dish, this is a good time to add a layer of cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the sauce.
Next, arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer on top of the sauce in the baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the top of the stuffed shells, ensuring they are evenly coated. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. You can also add mozzarella cheese at this stage if desired.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden. For best results, follow the baking time and temperature instructions on the manicotti package.
Once cooked, remove the foil and let the manicotti rest for a few minutes before serving. You can garnish with fresh basil or parsley to add a pop of color and freshness. This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired meal. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need Priano Manicotti shells, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, spinach, an egg, Italian seasoning, Priano Marinara Sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, and any additional seasoning to taste.
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Next, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the manicotti shells until al dente. Drain and set aside. Then, mix the cheeses, spinach, egg, and seasoning in a bowl. Stuff the cooked manicotti shells with this mixture. Spread a layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish, place the stuffed manicotti shells on top, and cover with more sauce. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, cover with foil, and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for a few more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
The recipe yields around 4-6 servings, depending on individual appetites. The package suggests "about 4 servings of 3 pieces each", but some reviewers note that this may not be filling enough, and they ate 2-3 manicotti per person.
You can add your own personal touch to the dish by using different types of sauce, such as tomato basil pasta sauce, or topping with additional cheese. You can also garnish with fresh basil or parsley for extra freshness and color. Some reviewers suggest adding salt, pepper, or other seasonings, as they found the manicotti to be bland without them.
