Manicotti Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 Vidalia onion
- 2 medium carrots
- 5-6 garlic cloves
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup minced fresh basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp white granulated sugar
- 2 bay leaves
- to tastesalt
- 8 oz manicotti pasta shells
- 20 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
whisked
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp minced fresh basil
- 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- more or less to taste1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
for topping
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
for topping
Directions
- 1
Preheat a Dutch oven over medium heat and add olive oil. Saute diced onions, carrots, and garlic first until softened. Add canned tomatoes, bay leaves, oregano, sugar, and salt.
- 2
Bring a pot of water to boil and salt it. Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 6 minutes, drain off water, and set pasta shells aside on a clean cutting board to cool down.
- 3
Spread about a cup and a half of marinara sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Set aside.
- 4
Preheat the oven to 350° and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Manicotti Recipe
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Based on 8 ratings
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About this Recipe
Searching for that ultimate Italian comfort food experience right in your own kitchen? This classic Manicotti recipe delivers rich, savory flavors with tender pasta tubes generously filled and baked to cheesy perfection.
What sets this Manicotti apart is the rich, homemade marinara sauce, simmered with fresh basil, oregano, and the sweetness of Vidalia onions and carrots. This robust foundation perfectly complements the creamy, savory ricotta filling, creating layers of authentic Italian taste in every bite.
You can expect a truly satisfying dish that's both hearty and incredibly flavorful. Imagine al dente pasta tubes brimming with a luscious blend of whole milk ricotta, Parmesan, and Mozzarella cheeses, brightened with fresh garlic, basil, and parsley. All of this is enveloped in a vibrant, slow-simmered tomato sauce, topped with even more melted Mozzarella and Parmesan, baked until bubbly and golden. It's a dish that feels special enough for guests but comforting enough for any weeknight.
While this recipe is a classic, it's also adaptable. For a meatier sauce, you could certainly brown some ground beef or Italian sausage with the onions and carrots. If you don't have fresh basil, use dried basil, but reduce the amount slightly. For an even richer cheesy top, consider adding a sprinkle of provolone with the other cheeses.
This Manicotti is perfect for family dinners, Sunday gatherings, or when you simply crave deeply satisfying Italian fare. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty bread for a complete, delightful meal.