Description
Classic Baked Manicotti is a comforting Italian-American dish featuring pasta shells stuffed with a creamy ricotta and cheese mixture, covered in marinara sauce, and baked until bubbly and golden. This hearty main course is perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 manicotti pasta shells
Cheese Filling
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Seasoning
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the manicotti shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain carefully and lay the shells on a baking sheet to cool.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Fill Pasta Shells: Fill each cooked manicotti shell with the ricotta cheese mixture using a spoon or piping bag and place them in the baking dish in a single layer.
- Assemble and Season: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the filled shells and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese on top. Sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly over the dish.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked manicotti rest for about 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the dish to set.
Notes
- You can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if desired.
- Adding sautéed spinach to the cheese filling is a popular variation that adds flavor and nutrients.
- For extra flavor, mix a little garlic powder or minced garlic into the cheese filling.
