Description
A comforting and delicious Cheese Manicotti recipe featuring uncooked manicotti shells filled with a creamy mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, baked in rich marinara sauce for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (8 ounce) package manicotti pasta (uncooked)
Sauce
- 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 teaspoons parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the proper temperature before baking.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, beaten egg, parsley flakes, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until fully blended and creamy.
- Spread Sauce in Pan: Evenly spread 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking and add flavor base.
- Fill Manicotti Shells: Spoon the cheese mixture into a resealable plastic bag, then clip one corner about 1/2 inch to create a piping bag. Pipe the cheese mixture into each uncooked manicotti shell, filling from one end until about half full, then fill the other end to ensure the shell is fully stuffed.
- Arrange Shells and Add Sauce: Place the filled manicotti shells carefully in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the top, ensuring every shell is generously covered.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes to cook the pasta through and meld the flavors.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the shells. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- This Cheese Manicotti is a comforting, no-boil pasta dish that saves you time but delivers rich, creamy flavors.
- The combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses creates a melty, flavorful filling that pairs perfectly with savory marinara sauce.
- Using a piping bag made from a plastic bag makes filling the manicotti shells easier and less messy.
- For best results, ensure the dish is fully covered with sauce before baking to prevent the pasta from drying out.
- This recipe serves 8 people, making it ideal for family dinners or potlucks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 408
- 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
