Manicotti
Manicotti is a delicious Italian dish featuring delicate pasta shells stuffed with a creamy ricotta filling, topped with rich marinara sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners, this recipe offers layers of flavor and a comforting aroma that will make any meal feel special. Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a quiet night in, manicotti is sure to impress and satisfy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 manicotti shells
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook manicotti shells until al dente; drain and let cool.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Stuff each shell generously with the cheese mixture.
- Spread half of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish and arrange stuffed shells on top.
- Pour remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella cheese and fresh basil.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed shells (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: For added nutrition, consider mixing in spinach or sautéed mushrooms into the filling. You can substitute ricotta with mascarpone or cottage cheese for different flavors.