Baked Three Cheese Manicotti with Kale

Ingredients

• 10 manicotti shells*
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2/3 cup shallot (finely chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 cups kale (or spinach, finely chopped)
• 15 ounces whole milk ricotta
• 4 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
• 1/3 cup fresh basil (chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups low-moisture shredded mozzarella (divided)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt (or to taste)
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 egg (lightly whisked)
• 24 ounces vodka sauce (I use Rao's)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13 pan. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the manicotti shells for 2-3 minutes under the package instructions. Drain and let cool.

2. 2

   In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add shallot and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and kale, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until kale is wilted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta and softened cream cheese. I recommend cubing the cream cheese to make it easier to incorporate.

4. 4

   Stir in the fresh parsley, basil, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Once it's slightly cooled, stir the kale mixture into the cheeses, too. Taste test and adjust salt or spice levels as needed. Then, stir in the whisked egg until incorporated.

5. 5

   Optional: transfer cheese filling to a piping bag without a tip to easily fill the shells.

6. 6

   Spread 1 cup of the pasta sauce along the bottom of the prepared 9x13 pan. Take a manicotti shell and fill with the cheese filling. Place the filled shell in the pan and continue filling all 10 shells.

7. 7

   Spread the remaining sauce on top of the manicotti shells. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and bake for about 20 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is slightly golden brown and melted.

8. 8

   Serve with additional herbs or parmesan cheese as a garnish, and enjoy!