Description
This baked manicotti is the ultimate Italian-American comfort food. Packed with creamy ricotta, rich marinara, and golden cheese, it’s a dish that’s cozy, filling, and crowd-pleasing every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10–12 manicotti shells or fresh pasta sheets
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil or 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing the dish)
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook manicotti tubes for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and cool for 10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup parmesan, basil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Transfer the cheese filling into a piping bag or a plastic bag with the tip cut off.
- Pipe filling carefully into each manicotti tube, avoiding overstuffing.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Place filled manicotti in the dish in a single layer.
- Cover with remaining marinara, 1 cup mozzarella, and ½ cup parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove foil and broil for 1-3 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
To freeze, assemble but don’t bake. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking or bake from frozen with an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed manicotti
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: manicotti, stuffed pasta, ricotta, baked pasta, marinara, comfort food