While continuing my quest for unique Italian meals that aren’t pasta dishes, I came across an article in Clean Eating magazine on ways to make hearty Italian food a bit healthier. Although I didn’t take their advice on using fish instead of red meat, I did take their advice on using low-fat dairy products and whole wheat pasta. For this recipe I was sure to add lots of spinach for added nutrients.
I know that this dish uses pasta, but it uses it in a unique way which makes it more than “just another pasta dish”. The individual bundles make it easy to serve and give it a great presentation. The lamb gives the bundles a unique flavor which lets you get away from the classic meat sauce. The spinach compliments the lamb perfectly and the cheesy topping really pulls this dish together. This recipe is perfect when you need a hearty, filling meal. It also goes great with a nice loaf of garlic bread.
- ⅔ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- ½ tbsp dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ onion (finely chopped)
- 3 baby carrots (finely chopped)
- 2 large cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ¾ cups chicken stock
- ¼ cup white wine
- 1 lb lamb chops (deboned and cut into small pieces)
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 10 oz chopped spinach (defrosted and drained)
- 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
- ½ lb wavy edge lasagna noodles (cooked al dente)
- ½ red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup shredded or freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, carrots and garlic and season with rosemary, oregano, salt and pepper. Sauté the veggies until soft (about 5 minutes).
- Add the tomato paste, chicken stock and white wine to the mixture to deglazed the pan. Cook down the liquid until a sauce has formed (about 3-5 minutes). Turn off heat and set aside.
- Heat another pan with the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the lamb, season with parsley and sauté until partially cooked (about 5 minutes).
- Reduce heat to medium and mix in the spinach and ricotta cheese thoroughly.
- Lay out the noodles and spoon about ½ cup of the lamb mixture to each and roll into bundles.
- Place the bundles into two well greased casserole dishes and cover with the tomato sauce.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and bell peppers.
- Bake at 350F until cheese is melted and bundles are cooked through (about 10-15 minutes)
Also, I want to pass on a few awards that I have been given in the last few months. I want to apologize for not reposting about these awards sooner, the past few months have been so hectic! Now I would like to thank the awesome bloggers who gave me the rewards and pass them on to my favorite foodies that you should follow. A big thanks to In the Land of Spice, Free Spirit Eater, Dinners, Dishes & Desserts, and Simple Quintessential Cuisine for theses awards! If you haven’t yet, you should check them out.
Also, to accept these awards I am supposed to tell you seven things about myself.
- I am graduating this fall with an advertising degree.
- I got accepted to Johnson & Wales for culinary school.
- I love to snowboard.
- I love to rock climb.
- I just learned to surf.
- I am Buddhist.
- I can’t get get enough Mexican food.
Sisterhood of World Bloggers
Stylish Blogger
7 Facts
Lovely Blogger
Versatile Blogger
Now I would like to pass them onto:
Saucy Dipper – Amazing sauce and dip recipes (you know how much I love sauces)
The Year In Food- Stunning food photography & great seasonal food information
Gina’s Skinny Recipes- Unique recipes with great photography
Constructive Deconstruction- Unique deconstructed dishes that are very creative
Cinnamon, Spicy & Everything Nice- One of the first blogs I follow that has really inspired me
For the Love of Cooking- Another one of the first blogs to really inspire me
Cooking With Michele- My mom- the reason for my love of food and inspiration to cook- & her blog
You are more than welcome to take all of these awards or pick the ones that you like. Keep up the good work! =)
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Awwww…thanks babe! XOXO (PS, the recipe looks yummy – I have a bunch of ground lamb so could try it with that…)
Congratulations on all your awards! Brava!
This pasta entree looks wonderful…lamb, spinach, cheese? Fabulous flavors!
I’ve got an idea of what I can do with this dish…it looks incredible by the way.
Oooh hello heaven. These look like I need to sink my fork in right away.
Good call with keeping the lamb. These look delicious. Adding the green makes anything healthy
This manicotti looks beautiful! I love manicotti, but have never made it with lamb before. Yum!
Your manicotti looks incredible! Such flavors you’ve infused into it! Thank you so much for the awards – hearing that I inspired you makes my day! That is so sweet. Thanks for sharing the tidbits about yourself so we could get to know you!
Thank you so much for the award! Yay! It’s a good day.
And I must say your seven things are quite awesome. I learned more about you today and I think you’re one neat gal.
Thanks again!
You are so sweet! Thank you, Jenny!
Congrats on all your awards! Well deserved! The manicotti bundles look fabulous! Thanks for sharing the recipe! : )
Mmm looks nice, especially with gratted cheese on top! And congrats for your awards!
These look amazing, great presentation. Really my kind of food.