Manicotti – A Simple Yet Incredible Entree
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Manicotti has long been one of our family favorites. It’s jam packed with a rich cheese filling, it’s brimming with delicious Italian flavor and it’s oh so satisfying. The perfect main dish any day of the week!
Manicotti
This is one my favorite recipes that has been in my recipe book and made in my home countless times over the last 8 years. I originally saw the recipe on Food Network and have made my own adjustments, you can follow the link below to view the fully original recipe.
Who knew a vegetarian dish could be so good? I actually prefer this over lasagna. I usually serve it along with Parmesan or lemon chicken (so there goes vegetarian =) and a side of steamed brocolli, but if you aren’t up to preparing a big meal this manicotti is filling enough to be a meal on it’s own.
What Is Manicotti?
This is cheesey, flavorful, generously filled pasta drenched in a simple yet incredible marinara sauce. Basically it’s comfort food at it’s best. To sum it up, it’s simple, satisfying and a family favorite.
Note: the photo posted above is a half batch, prebaked and not fully covered in sauce (so you could see what the manicotti actually looks like). I often do a half batch for my small family. Sometimes I will do the full batch and freeze some. You could even do two half batches in two 8×8 pans and freeze one and immediately bake the other. For the frozen one thaw it overnight then bake in a cool (not preheated) oven at 350 for 55 minutes.
Once you add all the sauce it should look more like this…
Yum yum, all that saucy goodness! Overload of marinara sauce right?
Manicotti Filling
This manicotti filling is really simple but it’s perfectly flavorful. You just blend together a mixture of 3 cheeses – ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan, along with eggs and parsley
Follow Cooking Classy
This has been one of my go-to recipes for years! Manicotti noodles are jam packed with cheese and smothered with a homemade marinara sauce. A classic Italian dinner you need to try!
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) pkg Manicotti noodles
- 2 1/2 cups (21 oz) Ricotta Cheese (I've used both whole or part skim, either works)
- 2 3/4 cups (11 oz) freshly grated Mozzarella Cheese
- 3/4 cup (2.3 oz) finely, freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Marinara Sauce
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed Roma tomatoes
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil, or 1 Tbsp dried
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to directions listed on package and drain.
In the meantime prepare Manicotti filling, in a large mixing bowl, using a fork blend together ricotta cheese, eggs, parsley, a little salt and pepper.
Stir in grated mozzarella and parmesan cheese and mix until well blended.
- Divide cheese mixture evenly among the 14 manicotti noodles stuffing each one full (I just do this using clean hands, I hold one hand over the bottom opening of the manicotti noodle, then press cheese mixture into the noodle and slightly pack it in until the cheese mixture fills to opposite end).
Align noodles in a single layer in a 13x9 baking dish or two 11 by 7-inch baking dishes, then pour marinara sauce evenly over filled manicotti noodles.
Bake in preheated oven until cooked through, about 45 minutes and serve warm.
Marinara Sauce
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and saute 20 - 30 seconds until lightly golden.
Add in crushed tomatoes, basil and parsley and let simmer while preparing pasta and filling, about 10 - 20 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Recipe has been updated Oct 2019. I've found previous amounts made too much filling.