Manicotti is an easy dinner recipe the whole family will love! Stuffed with 3 types of cheese, smothered in marinara sauce, and sprinkled with even MORE cheese and Italian herbs, it’s as easy as it is delicious… and it’s one of my kids’ favorites!
When it comes to dinner, there are some things you can’t go wrong with. And around here, pasta is one of them.
From spaghetti & meatballs to fettuccine alfredo, we’ve never met a pasta we didn’t like. And this easy Manicotti is our new favorite. It’s easy to make, easy to customize, and packed with the BEST flavor!
We love sticking with cheese, but the possibilities really are endless. It’s the perfect base for adding meats, veggies, fresh herbs, seasonings, or any of your favorite sauces.
And it’s ideal for making ahead! Because it’s a baked pasta dish, it can easily be prepped the night before and baked for dinner after work and school and weeknight activities… without sacrificing any of the delicious flavor.
We all know how helpful it is to have a stockpile of go-to dinner recipes, and this is one you’re definitely going to want to add to the list!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Manicotti shells – 10 manicotti shells, prepared according to package instructions.
Filling – For the filling, combine egg whites, seasonings, and cheeses (reserve some mozzarella for the top.)
Sauce – Marinara sauce is layered on top, with an additional layer of mozzarella cheese. Use homemade marinara or your favorite store bought brand.
how to make manicotti
Boil the noodles. Boil the noodles according to package instructions; drain.
Make the filling. In a large bowl, combine the cheeses, egg whites & seasonings.
Stuff the shells. Stuff the shells with the filling. The easiest way to do this is by transferring the cheese mixture to a ziploc bag and snipping off one of the corners of the bag. You can then squeeze the filling directly into the empty shell. Place the stuffed shells in a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Top & bake. Top with marinara sauce and extra mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes.
making ahead & reheating
This recipe is perfect for prepping in advance. Simply make it according to the instructions, then refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake. To bake from refrigerated, add 10-15 minutes on to the baking time. To bake from frozen, either thaw in refrigerator before baking, or double the baking time. To reheat leftovers, cover with foil and bake at 350° until fully heated through. Leftovers can also be reheated, covered, in the microwave.
Recipe Variations
- Add Italian sausage, ground beef, or shredded chicken to the cheese mixture
- Add cooked spinach, broccoli, peppers, or mushrooms to the cheese mixture
- Use alfredo or vodka sauce in place of marinara sauce
- Stir some pesto into the cheese mixture for extra flavor
- Use fresh herbs in place of dried herbs
- Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta cheese
- Use homemade marinara sauce in place of store bought
storing & reheating
Leftovers can be stored covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, transfer to an oven-safe baking dish and bake, covered, at 350° for 20 minutes or until warmed through.
Manicotti
Ingredients
- 10 manicotti shells
- 2 egg whites
- 3 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In medium mixing bowl, combine egg whites, seasonings, and cheeses (reserve 1/2 c. mozzarella).
- Spoon mixture into a large ziploc bag and snip off the corner; squeeze filling into cooked shells.
- Arrange stuffed shells in a single layer in a 9×13 inch pan.
- Cover with marinara sauce and sprinkle with additional mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Notes
Recipe Variations
-
- Add Italian sausage, ground beef, or shredded chicken to the cheese mixture
-
- Add cooked spinach, broccoli, peppers, or mushrooms to the cheese mixture
-
- Use alfredo or vodka sauce in place of marinara sauce
-
- Stir some pesto into the cheese mixture for extra flavor
-
- Use fresh herbs in place of dried herbs
-
- Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta cheese
-
- Use homemade marinara sauce in place of store bought
Storing & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, transfer to an oven-safe baking dish and bake, covered, at 350° for 20 minutes or until warmed through.Nutrition
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