Manicotti
Calling all cheese lovers! This Baked Manicotti is a flavor and texture extravaganza waiting to happen in every bite. 🇮🇹
Imagine: giant pasta shells (manicotti) stuffed with a creamy ricotta cheese filling, bathed in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, and topped with melty mozzarella. Every mouthful is a combination of classic Italian comfort food with a delightful textural contrast.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Effortlessly impressive: This show-stopping dish is sure to wow your guests with its visual appeal and delicious flavors.
- Customizable: Experiment with different cheeses and sauces to create your own unique flavor profile.
- Perfect for a crowd: A hearty and satisfying meal that’s ideal for feeding a family or gathering friends.
**Ready to ditch the ordinary pasta and experience the magic of Baked Manicotti? Continue reading for the recipe below and get ready to savor this cheesy masterpiece!
#bakedmanicotti #italiancomfortfood #getinmybelly #foodie #instafood #delicious #yummy #pastafriday #easydinner #amazeballseats
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 1/2 oz manicotti pasta
- 1 pint whole milk ricotta cheese
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 16 oz shredded & divided in half mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated & divided in half
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 8 leaves fresh basil, sliced into ribbons
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 28 oz marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Par boil manicotti: boil in a large pot of salted water & cook manicotti for only a minute. Drain. The goal is to soften the pasta and start the cooking process, but the pasta needs to still be extremely firm in order to stuff. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven.
- Prepare cheese filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta, garlic, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, eggs, Italian seasoning, basil, salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix well. Ad to a large resealable bag.
- Prepare manicotti: Add about 1/2 cup of the sauce to the bottom of an 11×17 baking dish. Snip off the corner of the bag containing the cheese filling and pipe it into each manicotti tube. Arrange each tube int he pan on the sauce. Pour remaining sauce on top & sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Cover with foil.
- Bake: Place manicotti in preheated oven and bake, covered, for about 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue cooking until cheese is melted & a bit browned. About 15 additional minutes. Serve & enjoy!
Keywords: Dinner, Main Dish, Manicotti, Pasta, Cheese
Leave a Reply