What is Manicotti?
Manicotti is a popular Italian style baked pasta tubes. The large pasta tubes are stuffed with a filling for example with a cheese mixture, then topped with marinara sauce and baked until bubbly and golden.
It’s a staple recipe in Italian-American cuisine. They are often prepared as a comforting weeknight meal or even as a special occasion dinner. This recipe uses ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a rich, cheesy filling, complemented by a flavorful tomato sauce. So delicious!
Why I Love This Recipe?
This recipe is very simple, and straightforward, so that anybody can make Manicotti at home. I really love this dish because you can practically use any ingredients you like – i love to use the cheese mixture, but if you want you can also stuff the with different kinds of fillings like spinach and ricotta or even ground meat!
Manicotti is a dish that your whole family will love, and once you make it, everybody will always ask you to prepare them!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions for Baked Manicotti
Manicotti Pasta: Look for large pasta tubes to stuff easily. If manicotti tubes aren’t available, large shells or cannelloni can be used.
Ricotta Cheese: Creates a creamy filling. Cottage cheese can be used as a substitute, though ricotta provides the best texture.
Mozzarella Cheese: Adds a melty, gooey layer. Fresh mozzarella is ideal, but pre-shredded mozzarella works fine.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds depth of flavor. Use freshly grated Parmesan if possible for the best taste.
Spaghetti Sauce: A marinara or tomato-based sauce complements the cheesy filling. You can use homemade or store-bought sauce based on your preference.
Eggs: Helps bind the cheese mixture, giving it structure.
Dried Parsley: Adds a subtle flavor to the filling; fresh parsley can also be used.
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing Bowl: To combine the cheese filling ingredients.
- Spoon or Piping Bag: For filling the manicotti tubes with the cheese mixture.
- 11×17-inch Casserole Dish: For baking the manicotti, ensuring even cooking.
- Spatula: To spread the sauce and handle the manicotti tubes carefully.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Baked Manicotti
Prepare the Cheese Filling
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, and dried parsley. Stir until smooth and fully blended. Taste and add salt if needed.
Pre-Cook the Pasta
- Boil the Manicotti: Cook the manicotti tubes in salted boiling water according to package directions, but reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes for al dente texture. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process and make handling easier.
Fill the Manicotti
- Stuff the Tubes: Using a spoon or piping bag, carefully fill each manicotti tube with the cheese mixture. Fill until each tube is evenly stuffed but not overflowing.
Assemble the Dish
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of an 11×17-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking and add extra flavor.
- Arrange the Manicotti: Place the stuffed manicotti tubes in a single layer over the sauce, leaving slight gaps between each tube to ensure even baking.
- Top with Sauce: Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the manicotti, covering each tube generously to prevent dryness.
Bake
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in Preheated Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Serve
- Garnish and Enjoy: Allow the manicotti to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or extra Parmesan if desired, and serve warm.
Expert Tips for the Best Baked Manicotti
Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Slightly undercooking the pasta keeps it firm enough to handle and ensures it doesn’t become mushy in the oven.
Use a Piping Bag for Filling: This makes stuffing the manicotti tubes easier and less messy. If you don’t have a piping bag, a spoon works fine, but go slowly.
Cover with Enough Sauce: Ensure each tube is generously coated with sauce to keep them moist and flavorful as they bake.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the dish up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this baked manicotti with:
- Garlic Bread: The perfect side to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Caesar Salad: A fresh, crisp contrast to the rich pasta.
- Red Wine: A medium-bodied red like Chianti pairs beautifully with this dish.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Make-Ahead: Assemble the manicotti up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual servings.
Print
Manicotti Recipe – Italian Style Stuffed Pasta
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Baked Manicotti Recipe – Italian-style stuffed pasta filled with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, baked to perfection with marinara sauce.
Ingredients
- 8–10 large manicotti pasta tubes
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups spaghetti sauce
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Filling: In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, and parsley until smooth. Season with salt if needed.
- Pre-Cook Pasta: Boil manicotti until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water.
- Stuff Pasta: Fill each tube with cheese mixture using a piping bag or spoon.
- Assemble Dish: Spread 1/2 cup sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish. Arrange stuffed manicotti in a single layer.
- Top with Sauce: Pour remaining sauce over manicotti.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Notes
Add Extra Flavor: Mix fresh basil or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning into the sauce for a burst of flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free meal.
Add Protein: Include crumbled Italian sausage or ground beef in the sauce if desired.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main dish
- Cuisine: Italian – American
Nutrition
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 19g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
Nutrition information
This website gives estimated nutritional information, which might change depending on the ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make this manicotti recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish up to a day in advance. Simply cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What can I use as a substitute for manicotti pasta tubes?
Large pasta shells or cannelloni tubes work well as substitutes if you don’t have manicotti tubes on hand.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
Use gluten-free manicotti or large shells to make this recipe gluten-free without sacrificing taste or texture.
Can I freeze baked manicotti?
Yes, you can freeze it after baking. Allow it to cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.
