Inside Out Manicotti

Reimagine your favorite Italian comfort food with this creative twist on a classic—Inside Out Manicotti! This easy, family-friendly casserole transforms all the beloved flavors of traditional stuffed manicotti into a stress-free, layered bake. Tender rotini or penne pasta is tossed in a creamy mixture of ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, and mozzarella, then smothered in rich marinara sauce and baked to perfection under a gooey layer of melty cheese. With only 15 minutes of prep and no need for tedious stuffing, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner. Serve it alongside garlic bread and a crisp salad, and watch it become an instant favorite in your Italian-inspired recipe rotation!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Rotini or Penne pasta
• 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
• 10 ounces Spinach, fresh or frozen (thawed and squeezed dry)
• 1 large Egg
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 24 ounces Marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 3

Add the spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted (if using fresh spinach) or heated through (if using frozen). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, cooked spinach, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well-incorporated.

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 6

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the ricotta and spinach mixture until evenly coated.

Step 8

Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish.

Step 10

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Inside Out Manicotti!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2131.4 grams (2131.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2802

Total Fat 168.20g	216%
Saturated Fat 81.20g	406%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.60g
Cholesterol 736mg	245%
Sodium 6739mg	293%
Total Carbohydrate 174.90g	64%
Dietary Fiber 18.60g	66%
Total Sugars 23.70g
Protein 168.60g	337%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 4642mg	357%
Iron 18mg	99%
Potassium 2430mg	52%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.4%

Protein: 23.4%

Carbs: 24.2%