It’s not much of a secret that two of my favorite foods are cheese and …. spinach. Yes, spinach. That statement is almost as ridiculous as stating that I love (gasp!) brussels sprouts (which I do), but spinach is something that I could eat every day, every meal. Anything that combines spinach AND cheese is high of the list of favorites, which this does. As we get close to the end of cheese week in the ingredient game, I present this amazing 3-Cheese Manicotti in Creamed Spinach Sauce. It’s vegetarian. It’s filling. It’s delicious and I will be making it over and over again.
Ingredients
For the creamed spinach sauce
2 pounds fresh spinach or 2 packages frozen spinach, chopped
4 tablespoons salted butter
1 teaspoon chicken or vegetable bouillon concentrate (or one cube)
4 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of nutmeg
splash of heavy cream
for the filling
2 cups ricotta cheese
3 eggs yolks
1/4 cup pesto (optional)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon corn starch
salt and pepper to taste
for the manicotti and assembly
1 package manicotti (you will likely only need 10-12)
1 1/2 cup fontina, shredded
Directions
Wash and soak fresh spinach thoroughly and drain. Blanch spinach in boiling water for about 2 minutes; drain and rinse in cold water. Squeeze spinach to remove moisture and chop well. If using frozen spinach, thaw directed, then drain well. Put in blender and puree until very smooth. You may have to add a little water if you removed too much, but better to have to add more than have it too liquidly.
Heat large heavy skillet on medium, melt butter until lightly browned and add the bouillon concentrate and stir together. Add flour, stir until smooth. Slowly add milk, stirring until mixture thickens. Be careful that your roux does not become lumpy so stir well.
Combine spinach with the white sauce and taste to re-season. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer briefly and remove from heat. Add the pinch of nutmeg and splash of heavy cream. Set aside as you make the rest.
While you are making your spinach sauce, you can boil your manicotti. Cook noodles until al dente. Drain and make sure they aren’t stuck together. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks, ricotta, pesto (if using), corn starch and Parmesan cheese. Lay manicotti on paper towels to wick off extra water and fill each with the ricotta filling. I did this using a zip top bag with the corner cut off, like a pastry bag.
Preheat oven to 375F.
To assemble, spread 2 cups of spinach sauce in your pan. Place in filled manicotti noodles, seam side down. Cover with additional spinach sauce and cover completely with the fontina. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with baking spray and cover the shells, sprayed side down. Bake for 35 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Let stand for a minimum of 10 minutes before cutting and serving (it is screaming hot and if you cut it too soon, it’s going to burn your mouth!)
