This delicious Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni is baked in a simple white sauce and sprinkled with grated Parmigiano. It is the perfect special occasion or just because baked pasta dish.

baked cannelloni in a white baking dish.

So what do Italians serve on Easter? As far as pasta goes, it’s anything from Homemade Crepe Cannelloni, Classic Lasagna, a simple Baked Pasta to this Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni.

Recipe Ingredients

Cannelloni tubes
Butter
Spinach – fresh or frozen
Ricotta cheese
Parmesan – freshly grated
Egg – large whole egg
Pepper – I use black pepper
Salt

White Sauce

Butter
Flour – all purpose flour
Salt
Pepper
Milk – whole milk

How to make Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni

In a medium sized pan add butter and the cooked spinach, heat it through and cut into very small pieces. Move it to a large bowl add the ricotta, egg, half the parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Mix to combine.

Cooked ricotta in a pan and ricotta mixture in a white bowl.

In a large pot melt the butter add the salt and flour and whisk until completely smooth. On low/medium heat slowly add the milk stirring constantly until thickened.

butter and flour in pot, mixed until smooth and thick white sauce in the pot.

Stuff each cannelloni tube with the ricotta mixture.

the cannelloni on a white plate stuffed before baked.

Place 2-3 spoonfuls of white sauce on the bottom of a baking pan, place the stuffed cannelloni tubes on top.

placing the cannelloni in the what baking pan.

Pour the remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese. Bake until golden, let sit 5 minutes then serve.

The white sauce and parmesan cheese on top of the cannelloni before baked.

What are the best noodles to use?

I used oven ready cannelloni tubes for this recipe, but you can also use fresh egg shells or even dry ones that need to be boiled first. Whatever you prefer will work just fine. I find it is easier to stuff the oven ready or fresh egg pasta the best.

How to make a white sauce

In a large pot melt butter over medium heat,
blend in flour and salt, gradually add milk and stir constantly ,
cook and stir over medium heat until mixture begins to bubble and thicken,
remove from heat.

What is the difference between Cannelloni and Manicotti?

To tell the truth I really can’t say there is much difference. Some say Manicotti is an Italian American term for Cannelloni. Which I can actually believe because I have never heard an Italian in Italy say Manicotti.

Some say Manicotti is a filled crepe rather than a dry Pasta Shell which is a Cannelloni. Although I have seen recipes for Manicotti made with pasta shells. Some say Manicotti is filled with a cheese filling and Cannelloni with meat.

One is made with a red sauce and the other a white sauce. But I say, whatever you want to call this Baked Dish, Cannelloni or Manicotti it’s delicious either way.

What is the difference between Parmigiano Reggiano and Parmesan?

The difference between them is that Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is authentic or DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta which means Protected Designation of Origin), and Parmesan cheese is just an imitation of Parmigiano Reggiano. Reggiano is always made in Italy, while Parmesan can be made anywhere, there are no restrictions on using the name Parmesan. And don’t forget a less expensive but also a DOP choice is Parmigiano Grana Padano.

How to store them

Cooked Cannelloni or Manicotti should be kept in the fridge for up to 3 -4 days. Uncooked Manicotti or Cannelloni can be frozen in air tight containers or bags. They will keep for up to 1-2 months.

How to Cook Frozen Manicotti or Cannelloni

Place frozen pasta in a baking pan and cover with desired sauce, cover the pan with foil and bake for approximately 35 minutes. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

So if you are looking for a traditional Italian recipe to make why not try this Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni and let me know what you think. Buon Appetito!

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