Description
Cheese Manicotti is a comforting Italian pasta dish featuring uncooked manicotti shells stuffed with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, baked in a rich marinara sauce. This easy, no-boil recipe makes a satisfying family dinner that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Manicotti and Sauce
- 1 (8 ounce) package manicotti pasta (uncooked)
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
Cheese Filling
- 3 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 2 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking the manicotti.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, beaten egg, parsley flakes, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended to create the creamy filling.
- Spread Sauce in Pan: Spread 1/2 cup of the spaghetti sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan, which will help prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Fill the Manicotti Shells: Transfer the cheese mixture into a Ziploc plastic bag and clip a corner about 1/2 inch wide. Pipe the cheese filling carefully into each uncooked manicotti shell, filling one end about halfway, then filling the other end until each shell is well filled.
- Arrange Filled Shells: Place the filled manicotti shells side by side in the prepared baking pan on top of the sauce layer.
- Add Remaining Sauce and Cover: Pour the rest of the spaghetti sauce over the manicotti shells, ensuring all are covered. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture during baking.
- Bake Covered: Bake the covered pan in the preheated oven for 55 minutes, allowing the pasta to cook and the flavors to meld.
- Add Topping Cheese and Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the manicotti. Return the pan to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving this warm, cheesy dish that’s perfect for a comforting meal.
Notes
- This Cheese Manicotti recipe requires no pre-boiling of the pasta shells, simplifying preparation without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- The combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses creates a rich, creamy filling that complements the tangy marinara sauce perfectly.
- Using a piping bag (or a plastic bag with a clipped corner) makes filling the manicotti shells easier and less messy.
- To prevent shells from drying out, be sure they are well coated with sauce before baking.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked when ready, making it ideal for planning family dinners.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 408 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 881 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 94 mg
