If you’re looking for a hearty, cheesy, and comforting meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner or even a holiday celebration, Baked Manicotti is the dish for you. This recipe features pasta tubes stuffed with a rich, cheesy filling, topped with savory meat sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a dish that feels elegant and indulgent but is surprisingly easy to make—and can even be prepared ahead of time to make your life easier.
Let’s dive into how to make this Baked Manicotti:
Learn to make this dish from scratch, along with some tips on how to save time and make this dish your own!
Baked Manicotti Ingredients:
- 1 box manicotti noodles (find these at most grocery stores, I used Prince Pasta brand)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing spinach)
- 1 (15-16 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded or grated)
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove fresh garlic, minced)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Parmesan and fresh parsley for topping
For the meat sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 jar (about 24 oz) tomato sauce (or homemade tomato sauce)
Instructions:
- Cook the Manicotti Noodles: Start by cooking the manicotti noodles according to the package instructions, aiming for al dente so they don’t get too soft during baking. Drain and lay them out on a baking sheet to cool, preventing them from sticking together.
- Prepare the Spinach: If using fresh spinach, heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the spinach for 2–3 minutes until it wilts. Once cooked, chop it finely. If using frozen spinach, thaw and drain the excess water.
- Make the Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix until everything is well incorporated. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a pan, cook the ground beef with the diced onion over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat, then add in the tomato sauce. Stir to combine and let it simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
- Assemble the Manicotti: In a 9×13 baking dish, spread a few tablespoons of the tomato sauce on the bottom. Using a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with the tip cut off, carefully fill each manicotti tube with the cheese mixture. Place the filled manicotti in the baking dish.
- Bake: Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the stuffed manicotti. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 40–45 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, then sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese on top. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, sprinkle the manicotti with some fresh parsley and parmesan for a festive touch. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes:
- Make Ahead: This dish is perfect for preparing ahead of time. You can stuff the manicotti and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. This is especially helpful for busy weeknights or holiday gatherings.
- Freezer-Friendly: You can also freeze the assembled, uncooked manicotti for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
- Add More Protein: Feel free to add ground turkey, sausage, or even chicken to the meat sauce for a twist!
Serve It With:
- A simple green salad
- Garlic bread or rolls
- Roasted vegetables for a complete meal
Baked Manicotti is a classic comfort food that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re feeding your family or serving it for a special occasion, this dish is sure to be a hit. Plus, the best part is you can make it ahead and bake it when you’re ready, making it a great stress-free option for any time of year.
Baked Manicotti
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
This cheesy Baked Manicotti is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish stuffed with a creamy ricotta filling, topped with savory meat sauce, and melted mozzarella. Perfect for a make-ahead family meal!
Ingredients
- 1 box manicotti noodles
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 (15-16 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove fresh garlic, minced)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
- parmesan and fresh parsley for topping
For the meat sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 jar (about 24 oz) tomato sauce
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook manicotti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay on a baking sheet to cool.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté fresh spinach for 2-3 minutes, or use thawed frozen spinach. Chop it finely and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, 1/2 cup mozzarella, egg, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix well.
- Cook ground beef and diced onion over medium heat, then drain off excess fat. Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for a few minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a few tablespoons of sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Stuff the manicotti tubes with the cheese mixture using a piping bag or Ziploc bag. Arrange in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the stuffed manicotti and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella. Bake uncovered for another 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Prepare the manicotti in advance and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freezer-Friendly: Assemble and freeze uncooked manicotti for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Add Protein: You can also add ground turkey, sausage, or chicken to the meat sauce for variety.
- Cook Time: 60
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