Easy Stuffed Manicotti

Easy Stuffed Manicotti

This easy Manicotti recipe is stuffed with cheese and Italian herbs, covered in Marinara sauce and baked to perfection!

Ingredients

  • manicotti pasta
    12
  • ricotta cheese

    1 container

    16 oz
  • shredded mozzarella cheese

    divided

    2 c
  • shredded parmesan cheese

    divided

    ½ c
  • egg
    1
  • pesto
    1 tbsp
  • salt
    1 tsp
  • black pepper
    ¼ tsp
  • marinara sauce
    2 ½ c

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 375°F.

  2. 2

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add manicotti and boil for the 7-8 minutes, until almost tender*.

  3. 3

    Drain and rinse manicotti 2-3 times under cold water until cooled to room temperature.

  4. 4

    In a medium bowl, stir together ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, egg, pesto, salt, and pepper.

  5. 5

    Place ricotta mixture in a large piping bag or large freezer bag and snip the end.

  6. 6

    Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish and spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom.

  7. 7

    Fill each manicotti shell with ricotta cheese mixture and line up on top of the marinara sauce in the baking dish, dividing the ricotta evenly between the 12 manicotti.

  8. 8

    Top the filled manicotti with the remaining 1 1/2 cups sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup Parmesan.

  9. 9

    Lightly grease a piece of foil or lid and cover the baking dish. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until heated through and pasta is tender. Serve.

Easy Stuffed Manicotti

Easy Stuffed Manicotti

451 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving a comforting, cheesy Italian classic without spending hours in the kitchen? This Easy Stuffed Manicotti recipe is your answer, delivering an impressive dinner with minimal effort.

You'll love how effortlessly this Manicotti recipe comes together, creating a truly satisfying meal. The secret lies in a perfectly balanced cheese stuffing—creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan—brightened with fragrant Italian herbs and a touch of savory pesto, all enveloped in a rich marinara sauce and baked until bubbling perfection.

Imagine tender pasta shells overflowing with a warm, melty cheese blend that’s both savory and incredibly satisfying. Each forkful offers a harmonious balance of rich ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and salty Parmesan, all kissed with the aromatic notes of pesto and baked in a tangy marinara. This dish is pure comfort food, delivering a truly wholesome and hearty experience that feels special yet is surprisingly easy to achieve, making it perfect for a weeknight family dinner.

Customization & Variations

While delicious as is, this stuffed manicotti is wonderfully versatile. Feel free to experiment with your cheese blend—perhaps adding a smoked provolone for extra depth, or even a dash of red pepper flakes to the ricotta mixture if you enjoy a little heat. For a heartier meal, you could consider folding cooked, crumbled Italian sausage or finely diced cooked chicken into the cheese filling.

This baked pasta dish is an ideal centerpiece for any family dinner or a relaxed gathering with friends. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious marinara sauce. It’s designed to be a satisfying, stand-alone main course that everyone at the table will enjoy.

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