Description
Turkey Spinach Cannelloni is a hearty, healthy, and satisfying Italian-inspired baked pasta dish combining lean ground turkey, fresh spinach, creamy ricotta, parmesan cheese, and tomato sauce. Wrapped in tender cannelloni pasta tubes, this flavorful meal is easy to prepare, versatile, freezer-friendly, and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Other Ingredients
- 12 cannelloni pasta tubes (regular or gluten-free)
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese for topping (about 1/4 cup)
- Optional garnishes: fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Start by sautéing finely chopped onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until fragrant and golden. Add ground turkey and cook thoroughly until no longer pink. Fold in fresh spinach and cook just until it wilts. Remove from heat, then mix in ricotta cheese, half of the Parmesan, Italian herbs, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sauce: While the filling cools, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking and add moisture.
- Stuff the Cannelloni: Using a small spoon or piping bag, carefully fill each pasta tube with the turkey and spinach mixture. Place the stuffed tubes evenly into the baking dish over the sauce layer.
- Add Sauce and Cheese Topping: Pour the remaining tomato sauce generously over the filled cannelloni, then sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese for a beautiful golden crust as it bakes.
- Bake Until Bubbly and Golden: Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil in the last 10 minutes to let the cheese brown lightly. Once done, let it rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh spinach instead of frozen for brighter flavor and better texture.
- Don’t overfill cannelloni tubes to prevent bursting during baking.
- Pre-cook pasta tubes if your package instructions require it for best texture.
- Mix cheeses like ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella for added creaminess and flavor complexity.
- Allow the baked cannelloni to rest a few minutes to firm up before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: turkey, spinach, cannelloni, baked pasta, Italian, healthy, lean protein, ricotta, Parmesan, tomato sauce, freezer-friendly
