Authentic Italian Manicotti
Experience the warmth of Italy with this authentic Italian manicotti, featuring golden-brown shells stuffed with a creamy ricotta filling and drenched in rich marinara sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners, this dish promises an explosion of flavors that will leave your guests craving more.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 manicotti shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, basil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Stuff each manicotti shell with the filling using a spoon or piping bag.
- Spread half of the marinara in the baking dish. Arrange stuffed shells on top and cover with remaining sauce and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with extra basil or Parmesan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 manicotti (130g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Substitute spinach for added nutrition in the filling. Prepare ahead by assembling without baking; refrigerate for up to 24 hours.