Manicotti is an easy Italian dinner. Pasta stuffed with a three cheese filling. The whole family loves this easy recipe that is the ultimate comfort food. 

manicotti

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EASY MANICOTTI RECIPE

My house is a tried and true test kitchen of what is a hit and what is not.

With seven different taste buds in the kitchen, there are many palates to please. Recipes that sit on the counter untouched are a no go. Recipes that disappear quickly are clearly a win.

This one always disappears fast. It’s simple but so so good.

manicotti

INGREDIENTS

  • MANICOTTI SHELLS – Manicotti pasta shells can be found in the pasta aisle.
  • RICOTTA CHEESE – I like to use whole milk ricotta for the ricotta mixture.
  • GRATED PARMESAN – You could also use a stronger flavored cheese like Pecorino Romano cheese.
  • EGG
  • GARLIC POWDER – Any good Italian dinner has garlic in it.
  • MOZZARELLA CHEESE – There are three different kinds of cheese in these shells which makes them delicious.
  • ITALIAN SEASONING – You could also use a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley or fresh basil.
  • MARINARA – Not all tomato sauce is equal. Rao’s is my favorite and the closest to homemade sauce.

manicotti shells

STUFFED MANICOTTI

HOW TO MAKE:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot of boiling water, boil pasta according to the package directions. cooked manicotti shellsDrain and rinse in cold water.manicotti filling
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. ricotta fillingPlace in a piping bag or a Ziploc freezer bag with the corner cut off.
  3. In a 9×13 casserole dish, pour 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish and spread in an even layer.filled manicotti
  4. Take each manicotti shell and pipe about 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture in each shell. The easiest way to do this is to pipe a little on one side and then the other side of the shell. filled manicottiPlace manicotti pasta tubes in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish.filled manicotti
  5. Pour remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.filled manicotti with mozzarella
  6. Bake in the preheated oven 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and filling is warm.

manicotti

​ADDING MEAT

This is a meatless dish but you could add some cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the marinara mixture.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS

A fresh salad is great with this or any green veggie.

OTHER PASTA RECIPES


manicotti

Manicotti

5 from 3 votes
Manicotti is an easy Italian dinner. Pasta stuffed with a three cheese filling. The whole family loves this.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces manicotti shells, (about 12-14 shells)
  • 1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasonings
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups marinara sauce, (I like Rao's marinara)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot of boiling water, prepare manicotti according to the package directions. Drain and rinse in cool water.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place in a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off.
  • In a 9x13 baking dish, pour 1 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish and spread in an even layer.
  • Take each manicotti shell and pipe about 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture in each shell. This is easier if you pipe on one side and then the other side of the shell. Place in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Pour remaining marinara sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and filling is warm.
Cuisine: Italian
Course: All Recipes, Main Course, Main Dishes
Author: Christy Denney
manicotti manicotti
author avatar
Christy Denney
Christy is the voice behind The Girl Who Who Ate Everything! She is no stranger to making meals that kids and adults will love. She grew up in Mesa, Arizona as the youngest of ten kids. She can always be found in her kitchen with music playing and cooking with her kids. She published her first cookbook in 2014. She loves party food that gets the conversations going!
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