Description
Cheese Manicotti is a comforting Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring uncooked manicotti shells filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan cheeses, egg, and herbs, all covered in rich spaghetti sauce and baked until bubbly and golden. This no-boil, family-friendly meal is perfect for an easy yet satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Filling
- 3 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 2 teaspoons parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 (8 ounce) package manicotti pasta (uncooked)
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare cheese mixture: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium-sized bowl, thoroughly combine ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, beaten egg, parsley flakes, dried basil, salt, and pepper until smooth and well blended.
- Prepare baking dish: Spread 1/2 cup of the spaghetti sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Fill manicotti shells: Transfer the cheese mixture into a resealable Ziploc plastic bag. Seal it and clip approximately a 1/2 inch opening at one corner of the bag. Pipe the cheese filling carefully into each uncooked manicotti shell, filling from one end about halfway, then filling the rest starting from the other end to ensure an even and complete filling without breaking the shells.
- Arrange and add sauce: Place the filled manicotti shells neatly in a single layer in the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce evenly over the shells, making sure each one is well covered with sauce.
- Bake covered: Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes. This allows the pasta to cook through while the filling sets and melds with the sauce.
- Add cheese topping and finish baking: Remove the foil carefully and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the shells. Return the pan to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Let the manicotti cool slightly before serving. Enjoy a hearty portion of this creamy, savory baked pasta dish.
Notes
- This Cheese Manicotti requires no pre-boiling of the pasta shells, saving time and effort while ensuring perfectly tender manicotti after baking.
- Feel free to customize the filling by adding cooked spinach, ground meat, or other seasonings for variation.
- Use a good quality marinara or spaghetti sauce to enhance flavor.
- Letting the dish rest a few minutes after baking helps the sauce thicken and sets the filling nicely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 408 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 881 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 94 mg
