Chicken, Cheese & Spinach Manicotti

Very Healthy
Health score
68%
Chicken, Cheese & Spinach Manicotti
65 min.
5
345kcal

Suggestions

Looking to transform a classic Italian-American comfort dish into a vibrant, nutrient-dense meal that satisfies without sacrificing flavor, this Chicken, Cheese & Spinach Manicotti is your perfect solution. By swapping traditional ricotta for low-fat cottage cheese and loading the filling with lean chicken breast and fresh basil, we elevate the health profile while maintaining that rich, savory taste everyone loves. This recipe is a delightful fusion of textures, featuring tender manicotti shells stuffed with a creamy, protein-packed mixture that bursts with the earthy freshness of well-drained spinach and aromatic garlic.

What makes this dish truly special is its versatility; it serves equally well as a hearty main course for a family dinner, a comforting lunch option, or a delicious side dish for special occasions. With a ready time of just 65 minutes, you can easily whip up a meal that feels indulgent yet remains mindful of your nutritional goals. The combination of CLASSICO traditional pasta sauce and a generous topping of melted mozzarella creates a golden, bubbly crust that contrasts beautifully with the cool, savory filling inside. Perfect for meal prep, the leftovers often taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together in the refrigerator.

Whether you are feeding a crowd or simply craving a wholesome treat, this recipe delivers a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. It proves that eating well doesn't mean giving up on the foods you adore. Get ready to gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and enjoy a dish that brings warmth to the table and joy to every bite.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups chicken breasts cooked finely chopped
  • 16 oz knudsen milkfat cottage cheese 2% low fat
  •  egg whites 
  • 0.3 cup basil fresh chopped
  • 10 oz pkt spinach frozen thawed drained chopped well
  • cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 cups classico family favorites pasta sauce traditional
  • 10  manicotti shells cooked
  • cup milk mozzarella cheese shredded 2% divided kraft

Equipment

  • bowl
  • oven
  • baking pan

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350F.
  2. Combine chicken and garlic in large bowl.
  3. Add spinach, cottage cheese, egg whites and 1/4 cup mozzarella; spoon into manicotti shells.
  4. Place in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover with pasta sauce.
  5. Bake 25 to 30 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining mozzarella; bake 5 min. or until melted.
  6. Sprinkle with basil.

Nutrition Facts

Calories345kcal
Protein43.29%
Fat22.46%
Carbs34.25%

Properties

Glycemic Index
44.1
Glycemic Load
10.53
Inflammation Score
-10
Nutrition Score
28.927826046944%

Flavonoids

Myricetin
0.02mg
Quercetin
0.02mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:345.32kcal
17.27%
Fat:8.6g
13.24%
Saturated Fat:4.12g
25.77%
Carbohydrates:29.51g
9.84%
Net Carbohydrates:25.57g
9.3%
Sugar:6.14g
6.83%
Cholesterol:57.02mg
19.01%
Sodium:951mg
41.35%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:37.31g
74.62%
Vitamin K:218.71µg
208.3%
Vitamin A:7227.63IU
144.55%
Selenium:46.88µg
66.97%
Phosphorus:385.67mg
38.57%
Manganese:0.74mg
36.78%
Vitamin B3:7.2mg
36.01%
Vitamin B2:0.5mg
29.61%
Folate:108.77µg
27.19%
Vitamin B6:0.54mg
27.01%
Calcium:267.81mg
26.78%
Magnesium:88.65mg
22.16%
Vitamin B12:1.24µg
20.6%
Vitamin E:2.92mg
19.44%
Potassium:673.11mg
19.23%
Iron:3.33mg
18.48%
Fiber:3.94g
15.77%
Zinc:2.25mg
15.01%
Copper:0.29mg
14.48%
Vitamin C:8.85mg
10.73%
Vitamin B5:1.02mg
10.16%
Vitamin B1:0.14mg
9.48%