Manicotti is an easy Italian dinner. Pasta stuffed with a three cheese filling. The whole family loves this easy recipe that is the ultimate comfort food. 

manicotti

I may earn commissions for purchases made through links on this post.

EASY MANICOTTI RECIPE

My house is a tried and true test kitchen of what is a hit and what is not.

With seven different taste buds in the kitchen, there are many palates to please. Recipes that sit on the counter untouched are a no go. Recipes that disappear quickly are clearly a win.

This one always disappears fast. It’s simple but so so good.

manicotti

Reader Kayla said, “Cheesy, easy to make the whole family loves! Even a 5 year old picky eater we paired it with a side salad and garlic bread sticks!” – ★★★★★

INGREDIENTS

  • MANICOTTI SHELLS – Manicotti pasta shells can be found in the pasta aisle.
  • RICOTTA CHEESE – I like to use whole milk ricotta for the ricotta mixture.
  • GRATED PARMESAN – You could also use a stronger flavored cheese like Pecorino Romano cheese.
  • EGG
  • GARLIC POWDER – Any good Italian dinner has garlic in it.
  • MOZZARELLA CHEESE – There are three different kinds of cheese in these shells which makes them delicious.
  • ITALIAN SEASONING – You could also use a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley or fresh basil.
  • MARINARA – Not all tomato sauce is equal. Rao’s is my favorite and the closest to homemade sauce.

manicotti shells

STUFFED MANICOTTI

HOW TO MAKE:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot of boiling water, boil pasta according to the package directions. cooked manicotti shellsDrain and rinse in cold water.manicotti filling
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. ricotta fillingPlace in a piping bag or a Ziploc freezer bag with the corner cut off.
  3. In a 9×13 casserole dish, pour 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish and spread in an even layer.filled manicotti
  4. Take each manicotti shell and pipe about 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture in each shell. The easiest way to do this is to pipe a little on one side and then the other side of the shell. filled manicottiPlace manicotti pasta tubes in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish.filled manicotti
  5. Pour remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.filled manicotti with mozzarella
  6. Bake in the preheated oven 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and filling is warm.

manicotti

​ADDING MEAT

This is a meatless dish but you could add some cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the marinara mixture.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS

A fresh salad is great with this or any green veggie.

FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepare up to step 5. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze up to three months. To eat, bake straight from frozen adding 10-15 minutes to the cook time or thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed. 

OTHER PASTA RECIPES

manicotti

Manicotti

Christy Denney
5 from 5 votes
Manicotti is an easy Italian dinner. Pasta stuffed with a three cheese filling. The whole family loves this.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces manicotti shells, (about 12-14 shells)
  • 1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasonings
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups marinara sauce, (I like Rao's marinara)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot of boiling water, prepare manicotti according to the package directions. Drain and rinse in cool water.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place in a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with the corner cut off.
  • In a 9x13 baking dish, pour 1 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish and spread in an even layer.
  • Take each manicotti shell and pipe about 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture in each shell. This is easier if you pipe on one side and then the other side of the shell. Place in a single layer on the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Pour remaining marinara sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and filling is warm.

Notes

FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepare up to step 5. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze up to three months. To eat, bake straight from frozen adding 10-15 minutes to the cook time or thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed. 
Cuisine: Italian
Course: All Recipes, Main Course, Main Dishes
Author: Christy Denney
manicotti manicotti