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Mannacote

Mannacote (Manicotti)

Mannacote (Manicotti) is a classic Italian dish featuring pasta tubes stuffed with a rich ricotta filling, baked in marinara sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a hearty and comforting dish perfect for family meals or special occasions.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 pieces Mannacote Pasta (or other large tube-shaped pasta)
  • 2 cups Ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup Grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large Egg - Beaten
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh basil (chopped, or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper
  • 2 ½ cups Marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 ½ cups Shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
  • Olive oil For greasing

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Spoon or piping bag for stuffing
  • Aluminum foil for covering the baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil.
Boil the Pasta:
  1. Cook the manicotti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions, but cook them 1-2 minutes less than the recommended time to keep them firm. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the Filling:
  1. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, chopped basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well mixed.
Stuff the Pasta:
  1. Carefully stuff each manicotti tube with the cheese mixture. You can do this using a spoon or by placing the filling in a piping bag for easier stuffing.
Assemble the Dish:
  1. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti tubes in a single layer over the sauce.
  2. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed pasta, making sure the tubes are well covered.
Bake:
  1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. After 25 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top, and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Rest and Serve:
  1. Let the manicotti rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the filling set a bit and makes it easier to cut and serve.

Notes

 

  • Substitutions:
    • For a lighter version, substitute part of the ricotta cheese with cottage cheese or a dairy-free alternative like tofu ricotta.
    • You can use gluten-free manicotti pasta if you need a gluten-free version.
  • Cheese Variations:
    • Feel free to add other cheeses to the filling, like feta or fontina, for a different flavor.
  • Homemade Marinara:
    • If you want to make your marinara sauce, simmer crushed tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, salt, and dried oregano for 15-20 minutes.