Giant cheesy stuffed noodles swimming in meat sauce is an ideal meal.
Stuffed manicotti is a rich, comforting pasta dish that is fun to make and a total crowd-pleaser.
What Is Stuffed Manicotti?
Credit: Andy Lyons
To stuff shells instead of manicotti, mound the filling into 12 to 15 cooked jumbo pasta shells.
Ingredients
12dried manicotti
1cupshredded mozzarella cheese(4oz.)
Cheesy Ricotta Filling
1(15-oz.
)containerwhole milk ricotta cheese
2eggs, lightly beaten
1cupshredded mozzarella(4oz.)
12cupshredded Parmesan cheese(2oz.)
)cancrushed tomatoes
1(15-oz.
), 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (2 oz.
), and 1 tsp, dried Italian seasoning, crushed.
Using a small spoon, fill each manicotti with about 1/4 cup cheese mixture.
In a large skillet cook 8 oz.
Stir in 1/4 cup wine or chicken broth; bring to boiling.
Stir in one 15-oz.
can crushed tomatoes, one 15-oz.
can tomato sauce, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 tsp.
fennel seeds, and 1/4 tsp.
Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stuffed Manicotti
Preheat oven to 350F.
Cook manicotti according to package directions; drain.
Place manicotti in a single layer on greased foil.
Fill manicotti with the cheese filling.
Arrange in a 2-qt.
Pour sauce over pasta.
Bake, covered, 30 minutes.
Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes more or until mixture is heated through and cheese is melted.
(If using Creamy Parmesan Sauce, bake, covered, 35 to 40 minutes or until heated through.
Sprinkle with cheese, then let stand until cheese is melted.)
In an 8-inch skillet cook 4 oz.
chopped pancetta or bacon over medium heat until crisp.
Drain on paper towels.
Stir pancetta and spinach into ricotta mixture and reduce mozzarella cheese to 1/2 cup in ricotta mixture.
For sauce, in a 3-qt.
saucepan melt 3 Tbsp.
butter over medium heat.
Add 3 cloves garlic, minced, and saute 1 minute.
Stir in 3 Tbsp.
all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp.
salt, and 1/2 tsp.
Gradually whisk in 2 1/2 cups milk.
Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Assemble stuffed manicotti or shells and cook as directed above.
2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
