Cheese Stuffed Manicotti

Make manicotti for a special occasion and watch peoples faces light up.

Even with so few ingredients, the dish is not even close to being plain.

Dress it with store-bought sauce from a jar, or make your own marinara sauce.

Manicotti Removed From Casserole Dish Filled With Manicotti Using a Wooden Spoon

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

What Is Manicotti?

Manicotti is a baked stuffed pasta, and it is sometimes referred to as cannelloni.

It might be confusing what to call it, but lets not split hairs.

Serving of Manicotti on a Plate With Silverware, and in the Surroundings, a Table Setting With Glasses of Ice Water, a Table Napkin, Forks, Another Plate With a Serving of Manicotti, and a Casserole Dish With More Manicotti

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Call it what you like.

One other popular variation is to addspinach.

you could also freeze manicotti, baked or unbaked for up to 3 months.

Cooked Manicotti Strained Over a Bowl Using a Colander for Manicotti Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.

Cut them into 4-inch squares; youll need 12 squares total.

Boil for about 30 seconds, just to soften them, then rinse them under cold water.

Bowl of Filling Ingredients (Parmesan Cheese, Eggs, Herbs, Mozzarella Cheese, and Ricotta) for Manicotti Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Place the tubes in the pan with the seam side down.

Tip

Manicotti shells usually come in 8-ounce packages.

If there are more than 12 tubes, cook all of them.

Filling Mixed Together Using a Spatula

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

You may have a couple of extra shells, which are good insurance if a few break.

Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water until cool enough to handle.

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Marinara Sauce Added to Bottom of Casserole Dish for Manicotti Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Spoon the filling into a pastry bag fitted with a large, round tip or a gallon-size zip-top bag.

With scissors, snip the corner off of the bag.

Fill the tubes, placing each one in the prepared baking dish as you fill them.

Filled in a Piping Bag

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Pour the remaining sauce over the pasta and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella.

Bake for 35 minutes.

Let rest for 10 minutes to allow the manicotti to settle.

Filling Manicotti (L to R): Filled Manicotti on a Layer of Marinara Sauce in a Casserole Dish, Manicotti Filled Using the Piping Bag, and a Colander With Unfilled Manicotti