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Baked Manicotti with Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Parmesan Recipe

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4.1 from 60 reviews

  • Author: Diane
  • Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
  • Yield: 1 (11x17-inch) casserole, serves 4

Description

This classic manicotti recipe makes a comforting and cheesy Italian dinner that's perfect for family meals. Featuring pasta shells stuffed with a rich ricotta and mozzarella cheese mixture, baked in a savory spaghetti sauce, it's a hearty dish that kids love helping to prepare. Paired with a crispy salad and garlic bread, this meal is sure to become a weeknight favorite.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 5 ½ ounces manicotti pasta

Cheese Mixture

  • 1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Sauce

  • 1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to get it ready for baking.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil manicotti pasta in salted water until just al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
  3. Prepare Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, ½ cup grated Parmesan, eggs, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated.
  4. Assemble Casserole: Pour ½ cup of spaghetti sauce into an 11x17-inch baking dish to coat the bottom. Stuff each manicotti shell with about 3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture and arrange them in the baking dish over the sauce.
  5. Add Sauce and Cheese Topping: Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese on top for a golden finish.
  6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until bubbly and heated through, approximately 45 minutes.
  7. Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm, ideally with a fresh, crispy salad and garlic bread to complete your meal.

Notes

  • Be careful not to overcook the manicotti shells to prevent them from tearing when stuffing.
  • You can prepare this dish a day ahead, assemble it, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
  • For a richer flavor, use whole milk ricotta and full-fat mozzarella, though part-skim cheeses reduce fat content.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
  • Feel free to add cooked spinach or herbs to the cheese mixture for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 55 mins
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://eatwithdiane.com/baked-manicotti-with-ricotta-mozzarella-and-parmesan-recipe/