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Creamy Ricotta Spinach

Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni

Cannelloni pasta tubes are packed with a cheesy ricotta and chicken filling, topped with a creamy and delicious tomato sauce. Simple, super easy to make, and they’re SO tasty!
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cooked chicken breasts finely chopped
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup part-skim Ricotta cheese
  • 1 bag 8 to 10 ounce baby spinach
  • 12 cannelloni tubes
  • 1 cup pasta sauce
  • 1 ½ cups half and half
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add onions and sauté 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.
  • 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.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine half and 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.
  • Remove from oven and let stand 3 minutes, or until sauce has slightly thickened.
  • Spoon the sauce over the cannelloni and serve.

Notes

  • I suggest to precook the cannelloni tubes in boiling water for 5 minutes before filling
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