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Cheese Manicotti

16 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Bake: 1 hour

Makes

7 servings

Updated: Dec. 13, 2023
Cheese manicotti was the first meal I cooked for my husband, and all these years later, he still enjoys it! —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Ingredients

  • 1 carton (15 ounces) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells
  • Additional minced fresh parsley, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix the first 6 ingredients; stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. In another bowl, mix marinara sauce and water; spread 3/4 cup sauce onto bottom of a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Fill uncooked manicotti shells with ricotta mixture; arrange over sauce. Top with remaining sauce.
  2. Bake, covered, until pasta is tender, 50 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes longer. If desired, top with additional parsley.

Cheese Manicotti Tips

Do you cook manicotti shells before stuffing them?

This recipe starts with uncooked noodles, which will cook in the sauce while baking. If you have any leftover shells, use them up in one of these other manicotti recipes.

Can you make homemade manicotti ahead of time?

Yes, you can make manicotti ahead of time! This recipe can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 3 days; just remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking as directed. Manicotti can also be assembled and frozen for up to 2 months. To use, partially thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed, increasing the time as needed until a thermometer inserted in the center reads 165°F.

What pasta can you substitute for manicotti?

Cannelloni is a great stand-in for manicotti. They're both large, tube-shaped pastas, ideal for filling. Manicotti noodles are ridged, while cannelloni are smooth. Learn more in our guide to pasta shapes.

Nutrition Facts

2 stuffed manicotti: 361 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1124mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.