Amazing Manicotti Recipe

There are pasta dishes, and then there’s the Amazing Manicotti Recipe—a true Italian comfort food classic that’s hearty, cheesy, and smothered in rich homemade tomato sauce. This recipe creates tender tubes of pasta generously filled with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, then baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Whether for a cozy family meal or impressing friends at your next get-together, the Amazing Manicotti Recipe satisfies every craving for something warm, comforting, and utterly delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the Amazing Manicotti Recipe lies in its simple, straightforward ingredients—each one plays a vital role in building flavor, achieving the right textures, and adding gorgeous color. Gather these essentials for a truly crave-worthy pasta bake.

• Manicotti Noodles (10-12, cooked al dente): These pasta tubes are the perfect vessel for holding all that cheesy filling—be gentle to avoid tearing!
• Olive Oil (6 Tbsp): Adds richness and helps sauté the aromatics for the perfect sauce base.
• Garlic (1 large clove, minced): Brings deep flavor—fresh and pungent, it infuses the entire dish.
• Onion (1 medium, minced): Adds natural sweetness and balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Dried Parsley (2 Tbsp for sauce, 1 Tbsp for filling): Use plenty for vibrant color and a hint of herbaceous flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes (2 cans, 15 oz each): The stars of the sauce—choose high-quality for the best results.
• Tomato Sauce (2 cans, 8 oz each): Gives body, depth, and lovely saucy texture to your bake.
• Dried Basil (½ tsp): Just enough to bring a subtle, classic Italian flavor.
• Salt (1 tsp for sauce; ½ tsp for filling): Essential for bringing out all the flavors.
• Pepper (dash for sauce; ⅛ tsp for filling): A little kick goes a long way to round out the taste.
• Ricotta Cheese (15 oz container): The creamy base for your filling—use whole milk for extra richness.
• Mozzarella Cheese (¼ lb, grated): Adds stretch and melt—buy a block and shred it yourself for the best texture.
• Parmesan Cheese (3 Tbsp for filling + more for topping): Nutty and salty, it finishes the filling and bakes up beautifully on top.
• Egg (1): Binds the filling together so it stays creamy and won’t ooze out of the noodles.
• Sugar (2 tsp): Just a touch balances tomato acidity—trust this little trick!

How to Make Amazing Manicotti Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Noodles

Start by cooking your manicotti noodles according to the package directions, just until al dente. Be sure not to overcook—otherwise they’ll be tricky to fill and might tear. Once done, gently lay them out in a single layer on a plate or tray without touching each other. This quick step is key for keeping the tubes intact and easy to handle later!

Step 2: Simmer the Sauce

While the noodles cool, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced onion, garlic, and parsley, stirring until the onions are soft and the garlic smells oh-so-fragrant. Pour in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, sprinkle over the basil, salt, and a dash of pepper. Bring it all to a simmer, then leave the lid off and let it bubble gently for 25 to 30 minutes until thickened and rich. The sauce should coat a spoon—so watch for that perfect consistency!

Step 3: Mix Up the Filling

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta, grated mozzarella, parmesan, egg, dried parsley, sugar, salt, and pepper. This cheesy mixture should be thick yet spreadable—taste it to be sure it’s dreamy enough for your Amazing Manicotti Recipe. Don’t be shy; a little extra parmesan never hurts!

Step 4: Assemble the Manicotti

When your sauce is ready, ladle half of it into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Now, the fun part: filling the noodles. Using a small spoon, carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the cheese filling, working from each end to ensure every bite is packed. Lay each filled noodle gently over the sauce in the baking dish, nestling them close but not too snug.

Step 5: Top and Bake

Once all noodles are filled and arranged, pour the remaining sauce over the top, making sure every tube gets a nice blanket. Cover the dish snugly with foil to lock in moisture. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes—your kitchen will start to smell incredible! Remove the foil, scatter extra parmesan over the top, and return to the oven for five more glorious minutes until bubbly and golden.

How to Serve Amazing Manicotti Recipe

Garnishes

For a lovely finishing touch, sprinkle the hot manicotti with a generous handful of freshly grated parmesan and a light scatter of chopped fresh parsley or basil. The fragrant herbs and melty cheese bring extra pops of color and flavor, making your Amazing Manicotti Recipe presentation truly irresistible.

Side Dishes

Pair your Amazing Manicotti Recipe with a crisp green salad tossed in tangy vinaigrette or buttery garlic bread for that all-important saucy scoop. Steamed green beans or roasted vegetables make for a lighter side, balancing the richness of the baked pasta.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, serve each manicotti tube plated individually over a swirl of sauce, or arrange them family-style right in the baking dish. Consider small ramekins for single servings at a dinner party, or sprinkle each portion with toasted pine nuts for a bit of crunch and rustic Italian flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Amazing Manicotti Recipe is a gift in itself! Let the dish cool completely, then cover tightly with foil or transfer portions into airtight containers. It’ll keep happily in the fridge for up to three days, and the flavors only get better by day two.

Freezing

The Amazing Manicotti Recipe is a freezer champion. Assemble the manicotti, but hold off on the final parmesan topping. Wrap well in foil (and maybe a layer of plastic wrap for extra insurance) and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking as directed, adding parmesan on top just before that last five-minute blast in the oven.

Reheating

To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm in a 350-degree oven until heated through—about 20 minutes should do the trick. For single servings, the microwave works in a pinch; just cover with a damp paper towel and heat gently to keep the pasta from drying out.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pasta sauce instead of homemade?

Absolutely! While the homemade sauce in this Amazing Manicotti Recipe adds depth and freshness, a good quality jarred sauce will save time and works well in a pinch. Consider jazzing it up with a little sautéed garlic and extra herbs.

Is it possible to make the manicotti ahead of time?

Yes! You can fully assemble the Amazing Manicotti Recipe a day in advance. Cover, refrigerate, then bake when ready. Allow a few extra minutes of baking time since the dish will be starting out cold.

What’s the easiest way to fill manicotti noodles without tearing?

The trick is gently spooning (or piping with a pastry bag) the filling into cooked, cooled noodles. Lay them flat, go slowly, and if one tears a little, don’t worry—in the bake it’ll still hold together beautifully beneath the sauce.

Are there any substitutions for ricotta cheese?

If you’re out of ricotta, cottage cheese (drained) is a great stand-in, or try a whipped cream cheese for extra richness. Just ensure whatever you use is thick, so the filling stays put in the noodles.

Can I make this Amazing Manicotti Recipe vegetarian or gluten free?

Definitely! The basic Amazing Manicotti Recipe is already vegetarian. For gluten-free, simply swap in gluten-free manicotti or large gluten-free shells—just cook gently as they tend to be more delicate.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving Italian comfort and want to wow your loved ones, give this Amazing Manicotti Recipe a try. Every cheesy, saucy bite is a little taste of happiness—make it once and you’ll have friends and family asking for it again and again!

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