🧀🍅 Classic Baked Manicotti
Ingredients
For the filling:
1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve ½ cup for topping)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped (optional: sautéed until wilted)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the pasta & sauce:
12 manicotti pasta shells
3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 tbsp olive oil
Directions
Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook manicotti shells until just al dente (slightly firm, since they’ll bake further). Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Prepare filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta, ½ cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, spinach, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy.
Fill shells: Spoon mixture into a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner cut off. Carefully fill each manicotti shell.
Assemble: Spread 1 cup marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange filled manicotti shells in a single layer. Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle with reserved mozzarella cheese.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot with garlic bread or a crisp salad.
⏱ Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total: 55 minutes
🍽 Servings: 6