Print

Three Cheese Manicotti Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 216 reviews

This Three Cheese Manicotti recipe features tender pasta shells stuffed with a rich and creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh basil, garlic, and onion. Baked in a flavorful tomato pasta sauce and topped with melted cheese, it’s a comforting Italian classic perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces manicotti shells

Cheese Filling

  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 2 tablespoons minced onion
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 large egg
  • 5 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)

Sauce

  • 1 jar (26 ounces) pasta sauce
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  1. Boil pasta: Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a boil. Cook the manicotti shells according to package instructions until they are halfway cooked, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
  2. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  3. Mix filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 3 cups of shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, minced onion, minced garlic, egg, and chopped fresh basil. Stir until the mixture is well blended and creamy.
  4. Stuff shells: Using a spoon or a piping bag, carefully fill each manicotti shell with the cheese mixture, taking care not to tear the pasta.
  5. Assemble dish: In a separate bowl, mix the pasta sauce with 1 cup of water. Pour about 2 cups of this sauce mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer over the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the top.
  6. Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the manicotti. Bake uncovered for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted. Then, remove the dish from the oven, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and return to the oven to bake for another 10 minutes or until the shells are thoroughly cooked and cheese is golden.
  7. Garnish and serve: Once baked, garnish with additional fresh basil before serving for a fresh, aromatic finish.

Notes

  • Partially cooking the manicotti shells before stuffing prevents them from becoming mushy in the oven.
  • Using a piping bag makes stuffing the shells less messy and more efficient.
  • You can prepare this dish a day ahead and refrigerate it before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture or sauce if you like a hint of spice.
  • Garnishing with fresh basil adds a bright, fresh note to the rich cheesy dish.

Keywords: manicotti, three cheese manicotti, Italian pasta bake, ricotta cheese pasta, baked pasta, mozzarella, Parmesan, vegetarian Italian recipe

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/three-cheese-manicotti-recipe/