When it comes to classic Italian-American comfort food, few dishes rival the creamy, cheesy, and utterly delicious manicotti. While it may look like a dish best reserved for restaurants or special occasions, the truth is—you won’t believe how easy this manicotti recipe is! With a handful of ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can create a dish that’s hearty enough for family dinners and impressive enough for entertaining guests.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Manicotti Recipe
Simple ingredients: Everything you need is likely already in your kitchen.
Family-friendly: Even picky eaters love creamy pasta filled with cheese.
Restaurant-quality: Homemade manicotti tastes fresh and satisfying.
Customizable: Add meats, herbs, or vegetables for your own unique twist.
🧀 What Is Manicotti?
Manicotti, which means “little sleeves” in Italian, are large pasta tubes traditionally stuffed with ricotta cheese and baked in a flavorful tomato sauce. They’re similar to cannelloni, but manicotti is usually made with ridged pasta tubes, while cannelloni is smooth.
This easy manicotti recipe uses cooked pasta shells, a simple cheese mixture, and a quick marinara sauce to bring everything together.
🍅 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need for this easy manicotti recipe:
For the Filling:
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the Sauce & Pasta:
2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 box manicotti pasta (usually 12-14 shells)
1 tbsp olive oil (for boiling pasta)
Extra mozzarella and Parmesan for topping
👩🍳 Step-by-Step: How to Make Manicotti
1. Cook the Pasta
Boil manicotti shells in salted water with a splash of olive oil until al dente. Drain and let them cool slightly.
2. Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Stuff the Shells
Transfer the cheese mixture into a piping bag or large resealable bag (cut off the corner). Carefully fill each manicotti shell with the mixture.
4. Assemble the Dish
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
Arrange the stuffed manicotti in a single layer.
Pour remaining sauce evenly over the pasta.
Sprinkle extra mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
5. Bake
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
🌟 Variations to Try
Meat Lovers’ Manicotti – Add ground beef, sausage, or turkey to the sauce.
Spinach Manicotti – Mix sautéed spinach into the cheese filling for extra nutrition.
Three-Cheese Explosion – Add provolone or fontina to the filling for a richer flavor.
Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free pasta shells or even crepes as a substitute.
💡 Practical Tips for Success
Cook the pasta only until al dente so it doesn’t tear while filling.
Use a piping bag for easy stuffing—much less messy than a spoon!
If you make it ahead, assemble and refrigerate, then bake before serving.
Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair your manicotti with:
A fresh Caesar or garden salad
Garlic bread or focaccia
A glass of red wine (Chianti or Merlot works perfectly!)
🎉 Conclusion
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or cooking for a cozy family night, this easy manicotti recipe will wow everyone at the table. Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly baked in marinara sauce, it’s a dish that proves homemade Italian comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated.
Once you try this recipe, you’ll see—you truly won’t believe how easy manicotti can be! 🍝✨