The Best Manicotti with Rich Cheese Filling Recipe You’ll Love

Creamy manicotti stuffed with a luscious cheese blend will make your taste buds dance with delight.

Pasta tubes become magical vessels for a medley of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.

Italian culinary traditions shine through this classic comfort dish.

Layers of melted cheese nestle inside delicate pasta pockets, creating a symphony of flavors.

Herbs and spices add depth to each carefully crafted bite.

Weeknight dinners or special gatherings will sparkle with this irresistible meal.

You won’t be able to resist diving fork-first into this cheesy masterpiece.

Why Manicotti with Cheese Filling Hits the Spot

• Delight in Cheesy Comfort: Indulge in a classic Italian-inspired dish packed with creamy, rich cheese that melts in your mouth and satisfies every comfort food craving.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn an approachable recipe that teaches basic pasta stuffing and baking skills, perfect for home cooks looking to expand their culinary repertoire.
• Create Family-Friendly Meal: Prepare a crowd-pleasing dish that appeals to both kids and adults, offering a hearty and nutritious dinner everyone will love and enjoy together.
• Customize with Ease: Experiment with different cheese blends or add herbs like basil or add protein like ground meat to personalize this versatile recipe to your taste preferences.

Ingredients That Make This Manicotti So Rich

• Manicotti Shells: Large tubular pasta perfect for stuffing with creamy cheese filling.

• Ricotta Cheese: Soft Italian cheese that provides a smooth and creamy texture to the filling.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a classic stretchy cheese element.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers a sharp and salty flavor that enhances the overall cheese mixture.
• Eggs: Bind the cheese mixture together and help create a stable filling.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh herb flavor and bright green color to the cheese mixture.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the flavor of the cheese filling.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce that provides moisture and traditional Italian flavor to the dish.
• Water: Helps create steam and prevents the manicotti from drying out during baking.

• Aluminum Foil: Covers the dish during initial baking to prevent excessive browning and retain moisture.

How to Make Manicotti with Creamy Cheese Filling

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350°F, getting it ready for our cheesy pasta adventure.

Step 2: Boil and Soften the Pasta

Grab a big pot and fill it with salted water.

Toss in the manicotti shells and cook them until they’re perfectly tender, around 7-10 minutes. Once done, give them a quick cold water bath to stop the cooking.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Eggs
• Fresh parsley
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together until it becomes a smooth, dreamy mixture.

Step 4: Stuff the Pasta Shells

Carefully fill each manicotti shell with the luscious cheese blend.

Take your time and be gentle to keep the shells intact.

Step 5: Prepare the Baking Dish

Spread a generous layer of marinara sauce across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 6: Arrange and Cover the Manicotti

Place the stuffed pasta shells in the dish. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top and add a cup of water around the edges to keep everything moist.

Step 7: Initial Baking

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.

Step 8: Final Golden Touch

Remove the foil and return the dish to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the top is bubbly and has a beautiful golden-brown color.

Tips for Nailing Your Cheesy Manicotti Bake

• Drain manicotti shells completely to prevent watery filling and ensure perfect texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother, more evenly mixed cheese filling.
• Add fresh herbs like basil or oregano to enhance the cheese mixture's flavor profile.
• Test shell doneness by gently pinching; they should be tender but still hold their shape.
• Choose high-quality marinara sauce for a more authentic and rich Italian taste.

Spin the Classic: Manicotti Ideas Worth Trying

• Spinach Spectacular: Add chopped spinach to the cheese filling for a nutrient-packed green version that boosts flavor and nutrition.
• Meat Lover's Manicotti: Mix ground beef or Italian sausage into the cheese blend, creating a hearty protein-rich alternative that satisfies carnivore cravings.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil into the filling for a Greek-inspired culinary experience.
• Seafood Sensation: Replace traditional cheese with a mixture of crab meat, ricotta, and herbs for an elegant coastal-style manicotti dish.

Best Pairings for Manicotti and Cheese Lovers

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich cheese and marinara sauce, cutting through the creamy texture with its tangy acidity.
• Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: Create a light, peppery side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy, cheese-filled manicotti and provide a crisp contrast.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty, herb-infused garlic bread to soak up extra marinara sauce and add a crunchy texture that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare Mediterranean-style roasted zucchini or eggplant seasoned with oregano and olive oil to add a healthy, flavorful accompaniment that echoes the Italian profile of the dish.

Store and Reheat Manicotti Like a Pro

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal cooled manicotti in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the dish's texture and flavor intact.
• Freezer Preservation: Wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring no freezer burn develops.
• Microwave Reheating: Place individual manicotti on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly.

Manicotti FAQs: Your Cheesy Concerns Answered

• What are the key ingredients for the cheese filling?

The key ingredients are ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper. These ingredients create a rich, creamy, and flavorful filling for the manicotti shells.

• How do I prevent the manicotti shells from tearing while stuffing?

Rinse the cooked manicotti shells under cold water to stop the cooking process and make them more pliable. Handle the shells gently and use a spoon or piping bag to carefully stuff the cheese mixture without applying too much pressure.

• Can I prepare the manicotti in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the manicotti ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. Prepare the dish up to the point of covering with foil, then store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Manicotti with Rich Cheese Filling Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy manicotti blends Italian culinary tradition with homemade comfort, nestling delicate pasta tubes with luxurious ricotta and mozzarella. Elegant layers of marinara sauce and melted cheese invite passionate home cooks to savor each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 package (8 ounces / 226 grams) manicotti shells

Cheese:

• 4 cups (907 grams) ricotta cheese
• 1.5 cups (170 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.75 cup (75 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups (475 milliliters) marinara sauce
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) water

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the manicotti.
2. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil, then gently submerge pasta shells, cooking until they reach a tender al dente texture, approximately 7-10 minutes.
3. Drain the pasta shells and immediately rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and prevent sticking.
4. Create a luxurious cheese blend by thoroughly mixing ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
5. Delicately fill each pasta shell with the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring a smooth and even distribution.
6. Coat the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with a generous layer of marinara sauce, creating a flavorful foundation.
7. Carefully arrange the cheese-filled pasta shells in a single layer across the sauced baking dish.
8. Generously pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, then add one cup of water around the dish’s edges to maintain moisture during baking.
9. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven, baking for 45 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
10. Uncover the dish and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the top to become golden and slightly crispy.

Notes

• Soften manicotti shells gently by undercooking them slightly to prevent tearing when stuffing with cheese filling.
• Use a piping bag or zip-lock bag with corner snipped for easier and cleaner cheese mixture distribution inside shells.
• Replace whole milk cheeses with low-fat alternatives for a lighter version without compromising rich, creamy texture.
• Customize filling by adding cooked spinach, ground meat, or herbs like basil and oregano for extra flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 474
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg