Description
Manicotti is a hearty Italian-American dish made with large pasta tubes stuffed with a creamy ricotta cheese filling, smothered in marinara sauce, and baked to cheesy perfection. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 12 manicotti pasta shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for boiling pasta)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook manicotti shells in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and let cool.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Fill each shell with the cheese mixture using a spoon or piping bag.
- Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Arrange filled manicotti in a single layer over the sauce.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce over the top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Add cooked ground beef or sausage to the filling for a meatier version.Mix in chopped spinach for added nutrition.Use no-boil shells to save time, just add extra sauce.Try a blend of cheeses like fontina or provolone for more flavor.Top with fresh herbs or red pepper flakes for extra zing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed shells
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
