Cheese-Stuffed Manicotti
This Cheese-Stuffed Manicotti is a delightful Italian dish featuring tender pasta shells filled with a creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese mixture, topped with marinara sauce and more melted cheese. It’s perfect for a comforting family meal or a special occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: No bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 manicotti pasta shells
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the manicotti shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, chopped basil, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the cheese mixture using a spoon or a piping bag. Arrange the stuffed manicotti in a single layer over the marinara sauce in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the stuffed shells. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with additional chopped basil before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg