Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (2024)

Cannelloni pasta tubes packed with a cheesy ricotta and chicken filling, and topped with a creamy and delicious tomato sauce. Simple, super easy to make, and SO tasty!

Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (1)

Thank you, ADA Mideast, for sponsoring this post! All opinions are always 100% my own.

Cheesy chicken stuffed cannelloni baked to a creamy and tender perfection. A classic recipe made EASY. These lovely bundles of joy will melt in your mouth!

This cannelloni is a quick recipe that comes together with some fresh spinach, chicken, and ricotta cheese, all topped with an easy creamy sauce.

The sauce on its own is Half & Half, seasonings, and parmesan. The addition of all the cheese in this cannelloni makes the flavors pop even more. Besides, one serving of milk, cheese or yogurt provides 8 grams of protein and 9 essential nutrients.

Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (2)

The flavors of cheese and milk and yogurt run pretty deep on this blog, including one of my all time favorite recipes, Spinach Artichoke Chicken.

We’re also celebrating June Dairy Month, so you’re free to eat up all the cheese and milk that your heart desires! 😉

June Dairy Month is a time to celebrate America’s dairy farmers, who provide us with healthy dairy foods. If you have a minute, please hop on over toDrink-Milk.comand meet some ofOhio and West Virginia’s dairy farming families.

You can also check out my own Ohio Dairy Adventure and see me in dairy farming action.

Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (3)

Just in those two States, dairy farm families raise more than 274,000 dairy cows on about 2,500 dairy farms. In an average year, Ohio and West Virginia dairy cows produce approximately 5.6 billion pounds, or about 656 million gallons of milk.

Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (4)

To get the full benefits of milk, according to the USDA, adults should consume three servings of dairy – milk, cheese, or yogurt – each day. A serving size is 1 cup of milk or yogurt, and 2-ounces of cheese.

My point is that you need thisCreamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni in your life. Especially in June! The cows will appreciate it.

Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (5)

    HOW TO PREPARE CANNELLONI

    Bonus tip about this recipe? You don’t have to precook the pasta! Say whaaaat?! *raising the roof*

    Edit: Some commenters have said that their tubes needed to be precooked because they were still crunchy after baking. I suggest to precook the cannelloni tubes in boiling water for 5 minutes before filling with the chicken mixture.

    • The cannelloni tubes are filled with a warm mixture of chicken (use cooked leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken), cheese, and fresh spinach.
    • The prepared cannelloni are then transferred to a baking dish and arranged over some pasta sauce. Use your favorite pasta sauce, homemade or store bought.
    • For a finishing touch, the cannelloni are topped with a combination of Half & Half and cheese, a liquid that the cannelloni will cook in while baking.

    Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (6)

    20-ish minutes later, din din is served! The entire recipe should not take longer than 40 to 45 minutes, from start to finish.The dish is easy to make, kid friendly and makes for some great leftovers.

    The ricotta gives a deliciously creamy texture and the sauce results in a beautiful golden crust. Just go make it,dinner-makers!

    MORE CHEESY PASTA RECIPES:

    • Cannelloni Stuffed with Spinach and Cheese
    • Creamy Chicken Asparagus Shells and Cheese
    • White Cheddar Shells andCheesewith Shrimp and Peas
    • Skillet Baked Gluten Free Pasta with Ground Turkey and Tomatoes
    • Spinach and ArtichokePastaAlfredo Casserole

    To meet Ohio and West Virginia dairy farmers, learn more about how farmers care for their cows and follow milk’s journey from farm to fridge, visit Drink-Milk.com, and follow the American Dairy Association Mideast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

    ENJOY!

    Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (7)

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    Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (8)

    Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni

    Katerina | Diethood

    Cannelloni pasta tubes packed with a cheesy ricotta and chicken filling, and topped with a creamy and delicious tomato sauce. Simple, super easy to make, and they're SO tasty!

    4.65 from 57 votes

    Rate this Recipe!

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

    Prep Time 15 minutes mins

    Cook Time 30 minutes mins

    Resting Time 5 minutes mins

    Total Time 45 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    • 12 cannelloni tubes
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 yellow onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 3 cooked chicken breasts, finely chopped
    • 1/2 cup milk
    • 1 cup part-skim Ricotta cheese
    • 1 bag (8 to 10 ounces) baby spinach
    • salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
    • 1 cup pasta sauce
    • 1 1/2 cups half & half
    • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

    Instructions

    • Cook cannelloni tubes for 5 minutes in boiling water; rinse and set aside to cool for a few minutes, or just until cool enough to handle.

    • Preheat oven to 400F.

    • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

    • Add onions and saute for 2 minutes; stir in garlic and chicken and continue to cook for 4 minutes.

    • Add milk and simmer for 2 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated.

    • Stir in ricotta cheese until well blended.

    • Add spinach and cook for 2 minutes, or until wilted.

    • Remove from heat and let stand a few minutes, or until cool enough to handle.

      Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (9)

    • Spoon pasta sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.

    • Using a spoon, your hands, or even a piping bag, stuff the prepared chicken mixture into cannelloni tubes.

    • Arrange the cannelloni in a single layer on the bottom of the previously prepared baking dish. Set aside.

      Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (10)

    • In a mixing bowl, combine half & half, parmesan, basil, oregano, nutmeg, salt, and pepper; whisk until thoroughly combined.

    • Pour the half & half mixture over the cannelloni.

    • Bake in the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until top is golden brown and the cream is reduced.

      Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (11)

    • Remove from oven and let stand 3 minutes, or until sauce has slightly thickened.

    • Spoon the sauce over the cannelloni and serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2 Cannelloni Tubes + Sauce | Calories: 434 kcal | Carbohydrates: 25 g | Protein: 38 g | Fat: 19 g | Saturated Fat: 10 g | Cholesterol: 122 mg | Sodium: 411 mg | Potassium: 545 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 4 g | Vitamin A: 675 IU | Vitamin C: 5 mg | Calcium: 248 mg | Iron: 2.5 mg

    Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

    Course: Dinner

    Cuisine: Italian

    Keyword: baked cheese recipe, cannelloni, cannelloni recipe, chicken pasta, chicken pasta dinner recipe, easy baked pasta recipe, pasta dinner, potluck pasta recipe

    Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

    Categories:

    • Chicken Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Sponsored
    Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni Pasta Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What goes with spinach and ricotta chicken? ›

    What to serve with this Spinach Ricotta Chicken:
    1. If you have the oven space, these Roasted Parmesan Green Beans are a fan fave!
    2. This simple Everyday Italian Salad would be great.
    3. This may not be the kind of meal you serve with pasta salad, but I LOVE this Tomato Basil Rotini Pasta Salad with any and all chicken dishes.
    Jul 17, 2020

    Do you have to boil cannelloni tubes? ›

    Cannelloni tubes – are large, tube-shaped pasta. Dried cannelloni tubes that are ready to fill can be found in most supermarkets in the pasta section. Dried cannelloni doesn't need to be cooked first, you can add the filling to the dried tubes and they will soften in the tomato sauce as they bake.

    Who sells spinach and ricotta cannelloni? ›

    Sainsbury's Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni, Taste the Difference Ready Meal For 1 400g | Sainsbury's.

    What is the trick to filling manicotti? ›

    Hint: Only pre-cook the noodles until they are slighty tender, the sauces and cheeses assist in cooking it the rest of the way. And, to fill, try using a pastry bag! Took me less than 5 minutes to prepare after I precooked the noodles. A keeper.

    What's the difference between manicotti and cannelloni? ›

    One of the most noticeable differences between the two shapes is their texture. Manicotti pasta has ridges that give it some bite, while cannelloni is smooth and more tender. Often, restaurants will serve manicotti topped with bolognese or bechamel.

    Do you mix egg with ricotta? ›

    The Best Scrambled Eggs

    A classic breakfast made even better, with the addition of ricotta cheese to make an even fluffier scrambled egg. Make these at the next brunch, but you better make enough because they are sure to be an instant favorite. Beat together eggs, ricotta, salt and pepper with fork.

    Is ricotta cheese healthy? ›

    Compared to most cheeses, ricotta is a healthier choice because it contains less salt and fat - 10 per cent fat, of which 6 per cent is saturated. It's light and creamy with a slightly grainy texture and delicate flavour that can be used on its own or in sweet and savoury dishes.

    What flavors go well with ricotta? ›

    You can smear ricotta on toast and then top it with almost anything for an easy meal. Try it with corn and scallions, or pesto and tomatoes, or a fried egg. You can also eat it for dessert: top with strawberries and honey or banana and nutella. Get the recipes here.

    What is the difference between cannoli and cannelloni? ›

    Cannelloni—not to be confused with the Italian tubular dessert cannoli—is a type of lasagna noodle; the term "manicotti" can refer to the same pasta or the baked dish. Dried cannelloni and manicotti tubes are sold both plain and ribbed.

    Why is my cannelloni dry? ›

    If too much of the cannelloni tubes stick out over the edge or not filled at least three quarters, the top of the tubes will cook dry and quite tough.

    What's the difference between cannelloni and lasagna sheets? ›

    Cannelloni is in the same pasta family to lasagne, and is usually paired with the same ingredients. The only difference is that with cannelloni, the sheets are rolled around the filling, rather than layered up with it. This looks very different upon serving, and makes for a real difference in texture.

    What is the liquid leftover from making ricotta? ›

    The liquid whey left over from making ricotta is really healthy. Cover and refrigerate it to use in breads, soups, and smoothies instead of milk or water. You can also use it instead of water when cooking pasta or rice. Or, if you're really adventurous, try drinking it plain (you'll make your great-grandma proud).

    What does cannelloni mean in Italian? ›

    Cannelloni (Italian: [kannelˈloːni]; Italian for 'large reeds') are a cylindrical type of egg-based stuffed pasta generally served baked with a filling and covered by a sauce in Italian cuisine. Popular stuffings include spinach and ricotta or minced beef. The shells are then typically covered with tomato sauce.

    What can I use instead of ricotta in cannelloni? ›

    Is there a tool to stuff manicotti? ›

    Use your cake frosting tool to stuff manicotti and stuff shells easily and mess free!

    How do you fill manicotti without a piping bag? ›

    Scrape the cheese mixture into a quart-size, zip-top plastic bag. Cut one corner off the bag to make a small diagonal slit. Using the bag like a pastry bag, squirt the cheese mixture into both sides of each manicotti shell until filled.

    How to make pasta more filling? ›

    Load your plate with leafy greens or vegetables before dishing out the pasta. This will help keep your portion to a moderate amount. Because remember, if your pasta is full of lean protein, veggies, and whole grains, it will be much more filling than plain pasta.

    How do you add bulk to pasta? ›

    Keep reading to find out more about how you can easily add some protein to your favorite pasta dishes.
    1. 01 of 09. Toss in some meat. ...
    2. 02 of 09. Or fish. ...
    3. 03 of 09. Load up on the veggies. ...
    4. 04 of 09. Add an egg. ...
    5. 05 of 09. Try a homemade pesto. ...
    6. 06 of 09. Or a peanut sauce. ...
    7. 07 of 09. Swap out your noodles. ...
    8. 08 of 09. Bring on the beans.
    Jan 10, 2022

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