This stuffed manicotti recipe is a straightforward make-ahead meal excellent for busy weeknights. The pasta is full of cheese and Italian herbs, coated in marinara sauce, and baked to perfection!
Manicotti is a protracted, massive, tubular pasta that’s normally cooked and full of a ricotta cheese filling much like this basic stuffed shells recipe. Baked, cheese-stuffed manicotti is hearty, creamy, and smothered in marinara, making it among the finest consolation meals.
Ingredient Notes
- Manicotti:Â This pasta is ideal for this recipe because it holds the filling properly, however any massive tubular pasta would work for this recipe. Attempt it with cannelloni or massive pasta shells.
- Filling: Made with three sorts of cheese, mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan, this filling is so scrumptious! Attempt cottage cheese rather than ricotta. Simply pressure the cottage cheese earlier than including it to the recipe to keep away from the filling being too watery.
- Sauce: For the perfect taste, strive making a do-it-yourself marinara sauce. It’s also possible to use a store-bought marinara sauce or perhaps a primary tomato sauce in a pinch. Simply add in some Italian seasoning to spice up the flavors!
Easy methods to Make Manicotti
- Prepare dinner manicotti shells. Whereas they’re cooling, prep filling (full recipe under).
- Stuff pasta and layer with marinara and cheese in a casserole.
- Bake and serve instantly!
Get artistic with the filling. Add in numerous cheeses, spinach, herbs, or meat like rooster, beef, or sausage for a singular dish!
Leftovers
- This recipe is nice for leftovers. Merely put together up till the purpose of baking, cowl and refrigerate for as much as 4 days, or freeze for as much as 3 months. To serve, simply thaw (if frozen) and bake as directed!
- Retailer already-cooked leftovers within the fridge for as much as three days. Reheat within the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or within the oven at 325°F till heated by means of, about 20-25 minutes.
I want to make use of common manicotti shells (which do require precooking), however you need to use oven-ready shells in a pinch if you wish to skip cooking them earlier than filling.
Sure! If swapping the common noodles for oven-ready noodles on this recipe, control the casserole because it bakes. If it begins to look dry, add a drizzle (a few tablespoons) of water across the edge (sure, water! Belief me).
It’s additionally vital to maintain the noodles coated in sauce and canopy the pan whereas baking if you’re utilizing oven-ready noodles in order that every part cooks evenly.
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Did you’re keen on this Stuffed Manicotti? Go away a score and remark under!
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Convey a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add manicotti and boil for the 7-8 minutes, till virtually tender*.
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Drain and rinse manicotti beneath chilly water till cooled to room temperature.
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In a medium bowl, stir collectively ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan, egg, pesto, salt, and pepper.
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Place ricotta combination in a big piping bag or massive freezer bag and snip the tip.
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Calmly grease a 9×13 baking dish and unfold 1 cup of marinara sauce within the backside.
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Fill every manicotti shell with ricotta cheese combination and line up on prime of the marinara sauce within the baking dish, dividing the ricotta evenly between the 12 manicotti.
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Prime the crammed manicotti with the remaining 1 ½ cups sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup Parmesan.
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Calmly grease a chunk of foil or lid and canopy the baking dish. Bake for 25-Half-hour till heated by means of and pasta is tender.
Maintain leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.Â
Serving: 2manicotti | Energy: 451 | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 27g | Fats: 23g | Saturated Fats: 14g | Ldl cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 1395mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1214IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 485mg | Iron: 2mg
Diet info offered is an estimate and can fluctuate primarily based on cooking strategies and types of elements used.
Course Dinner
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