The Perfect Ricotta Spinach Chicken Cannelloni Recipe for Dinner

Ricotta spinach and chicken cannelloni represent pure culinary comfort that reinvents ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

These elegant pasta tubes promise a delightful dining experience with their luxurious filling and robust flavors.

Smooth ricotta cheese mingles beautifully with tender chicken and vibrant spinach, creating a harmonious blend that satisfies deeply.

Nestled within delicate pasta and draped in a robust tomato sauce, this dish whispers of home-cooked goodness.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of creamy texture and savory nuance that feels both familiar and exciting.

Italian-inspired techniques elevate simple ingredients into something truly magical for weeknight dinners or special gatherings.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that celebrates comfort and creativity.

Creamy Ricotta Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni: A Comforting Italian Favorite

• Unlock Creamy Comfort: Experience a velvety, indulgent dish packed with rich ricotta and tender chicken that melts in your mouth, creating the ultimate comfort food sensation.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Prepare this delightful cannelloni in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy families seeking a delicious meal without complicated cooking techniques.
• Nutrient-Packed Protein Powerhouse: Loaded with 30g of protein from chicken and ricotta, this recipe offers a balanced meal that supports muscle health and keeps you satisfied throughout the evening.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings, this cannelloni adapts easily to different preferences and provides a hearty, crowd-pleasing main course.

Tips for Perfect Cannelloni Every Time

• Perfectly Cook Pasta: Undercook cannelloni tubes slightly to prevent mushiness during baking, ensuring they remain firm and hold the creamy filling.
• Maximize Filling Flavor: Let the chicken and spinach mixture cool completely before stuffing to prevent soggy pasta and enhance overall taste profile.
• Smooth Stuffing Technique: Use a piping bag or large spoon to easily and cleanly fill pasta tubes without tearing or creating messy edges.
• Sauce Distribution Trick: Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of the baking dish to prevent sticking and add extra moisture to the dish.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Grate fresh Parmesan directly over the top before baking for a golden, crispy cheese crust that adds depth and richness to the cannelloni.

How to Store Cannelloni for Maximum Freshness

• Refrigeration: Store leftover cannelloni in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Carefully place the pasta flat in the container to prevent breaking the delicate tubes. Refrigerated cannelloni will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
• Reheating Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the cannelloni with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese before serving to refresh the flavors.
• Microwave Method: Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Heat for 2-3 minutes, rotating halfway through.

Pair Your Cannelloni with These Italian Sides

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the creamy, rich flavors of the cannelloni, cutting through the richness with its bright, acidic notes.
• Serve with Fresh Arugula Salad: A light, peppery arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the heavy, cheesy pasta dish, balancing the meal's richness.
• Match with Rustic Garlic Bread: Toasted, crusty garlic bread helps soak up the creamy sauce and adds a delightful crunch, enhancing the overall texture and flavor experience of the cannelloni.
• Complement with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes: Slightly charred, sweet roasted cherry tomatoes bring a burst of acidity and brightness that perfectly offsets the creamy chicken and spinach filling.

Experiment with Variations of Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni

• Mediterranean Magic: Replace chicken with ground lamb and add crumbled feta cheese. Mix in chopped oregano and sun-dried tomatoes for a Greek-inspired flavor profile that brings Mediterranean warmth to your cannelloni.
• Seafood Symphony: Swap chicken for succulent crab or shrimp meat. Incorporate dill and lemon zest into the ricotta mixture, creating an elegant coastal-inspired version that highlights fresh ocean flavors.
• Vegetarian Harvest: Eliminate chicken and substitute with roasted butternut squash and wild mushrooms. Enhance the filling with fresh thyme and toasted pine nuts, delivering a rich, earthy vegetarian alternative that satisfies every palate.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chiles and cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture. Top with pepper jack cheese and garnish with fresh cilantro, transforming the classic recipe into a zesty southwestern experience.

What You Need for Spinach and Chicken Cannelloni

• Cannelloni Tubes: Classic Italian pasta perfect for stuffing with creamy fillings, choose fresh or dried tubes for best texture.

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that adds substance and flavor to the filling, select boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
• Spinach: Nutritious green vegetable that provides color and earthy taste, fresh or frozen both work well.
• Onions, Garlic: Aromatic base ingredients that enhance the overall depth of flavor, fresh produce recommended.

• Ricotta Cheese: Soft, mild Italian cheese that creates a smooth and rich filling texture, whole milk variety preferred.
• Milk: Helps to bind and soften the filling mixture, whole milk provides richer consistency.
• Cream: Adds luxurious richness to the topping, heavy cream works best for a decadent sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that provides a tangy finish and golden crust, freshly grated recommended.

• Pasta Sauce: Pre-made tomato-based sauce for easy layering, choose your favorite commercial or homemade variety.
• Spices: Salt and pepper for seasoning the filling and enhancing overall taste, adjust according to preference.

How to Make Creamy Ricotta Spinach Cannelloni

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Tubes

Boil cannelloni tubes in salted water for 5 minutes. Carefully drain and let cool on a clean kitchen towel.

Step 2: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C) to get ready for baking.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Filling

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

• Milk
• Ricotta cheese
• Fresh spinach

Let the mixture cool down completely.

Step 4: Stuff and Arrange Cannelloni

Gently fill each pasta tube with the cooled chicken and spinach mixture. Arrange the stuffed tubes in a baking dish, nestling them in a layer of pasta sauce.

Step 5: Add Creamy Topping

• Heavy cream
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Pinch of Italian herbs

Pour the creamy mixture evenly over the cannelloni.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the top turns golden and bubbly.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Let the cannelloni rest for 3 minutes. Serve piping hot and enjoy the delicious, creamy goodness.

Ricotta Spinach Chicken Cannelloni Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy ricotta spinach and chicken cannelloni brings Italian comfort to your dinner table. Delicate pasta rolls stuffed with tender chicken, rich ricotta, and fresh spinach create a luxurious meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cooked chicken breasts, finely chopped
• 1 bag (8–10 ounces/226–283 grams) baby spinach
• 12 cannelloni tubes
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup pasta sauce

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) half & half
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 0.25 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Herbs, Spices, and Aromatics:

• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.125 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Submerge cannelloni pasta tubes in boiling water and cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened, then carefully drain and spread on a clean kitchen towel to cool and prevent sticking.
2. Heat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and position a rack in the center for even cooking.
3. In a large skillet, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent, then add diced chicken breast and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through.
4. Reduce heat and gently fold in whole milk, ricotta cheese, chopped fresh spinach, salt, and black pepper, stirring until ingredients are well combined and spinach wilts.
5. Allow the chicken and spinach mixture to cool for 10 minutes, ensuring it’s not too hot to handle.
6. Carefully fill each cooled cannelloni tube with the prepared mixture, creating a generous but neat filling.
7. Arrange stuffed cannelloni tubes in a greased 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 centimeter) baking dish, covering the bottom with a layer of marinara or tomato pasta sauce.
8. In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, and a pinch of nutmeg.
9. Pour the cream mixture evenly over the cannelloni, ensuring complete coverage.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until the top is golden and sauce is bubbling.
11. Remove from oven and let rest for 3-4 minutes to allow sauce to set and cool slightly.
12. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm directly from the baking dish.

Notes

• Perfectly time your pasta cooking to avoid overcooking, which can lead to mushy tubes.
• Cooling the chicken mixture prevents burning delicate pasta and helps ingredients bind smoothly.
• Layer extra Parmesan cheese between cannelloni for unexpected bursts of savory flavor.
• Freeze unbaked cannelloni for up to one month, wrapped tightly in plastic and foil for convenient meal prep.
• Check internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure chicken is safely cooked through.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 600 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 120mg