Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni — a classic Italian dish beloved for its delicious, creamy taste — is often assumed to be a no-go for people looking to lose weight. Why? It has a high-calorie count.
However, with just a few simple tweaks, this dish can be made macro-friendly — and you won’t have to sacrifice any of its delicious flavours.
Once you’ve tried it, you’ll see why this is one of the healthiest and tastiest cannelloni recipes on the market!
By using low-fat cheese and plenty of nutritious spinach for the filling, you can create a lighter and more macro-friendly version of your favourite Italian dish.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly meal, a quick weeknight dinner, or a tasty snack to help you hit your daily macros, Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni is a delicious and healthy option to add to your rotation.
Here’s how to make it.
Table of Contents
A Healthy, Low-Calorie Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 San Remo Instant Cannelloni Shells
- 100g Light Ricotta Cheese
- 100g Frozen Spinach (weighed, thawed and drained)
- 1 Large Egg, whisked
- 80g Leggo’s Bolognese with Chunky Tomato, Garlic & Herb Pasta Sauce
- 30g Coles Light Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Method: How To Make Your Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Defrost the spinach and squeeze as much moisture out of it as possible. Combine the ricotta, spinach and egg in a bowl and mix well.
- Use a spoon to place the spinach and ricotta into the cannelloni shells. Transfer the filled cannelloni to an oven-proof dish and top with sauce.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until pasta is cooked through. Top with cheese and place back into the oven on the grill setting until the cheese has melted.
Nutrition info: Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni Recipe
This meal contains just 539 calories!
Yes, you read that right!
And the most exciting part? The protein count: a whopping 43 grams.
Cannelloni Recipes For Muscle Growth and Fat Loss
This cannelloni recipe is perfect if you’re looking to build lean muscle mass.
Why?
When you go to the gym, you break down and damage the muscles you train.
Muscle growth occurs when the rate of protein ingestion surpasses that of muscle protein breakdown.
So, post-workout, you need to consume enough protein to help those muscles repair and grow. With this dish packing 43 grams of protein, you’re well on your way!
Because of the high protein count in this cannelloni recipe, you’ll also stay fuller for longer and experience more dietary satisfaction.
This can prevent overeating; by staying full, you’re more likely to stick to your macronutrient targets for weight loss.
This Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni recipe also contains 21 grams of fat, 40 grams of carbs to fuel your workouts and a generous 5 grams of fibre for optimal gut health.
You can take it to work with you or have it at home; it’s the perfect lunch or dinner to have all to yourself or to share with friends (if they’re lucky!).
Give it a try and you’ll quickly see why this is one of the healthiest and tastiest cannelloni recipes on the market.
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