Three Cheese Manicotti
A comforting dish featuring manicotti noodles filled with a rich cheese mixture, topped with savory spaghetti sauce and melted mozzarella.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 pieces manicotti noodles
- 2 cups spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, for topping
Cheese Filling
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the manicotti noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Fill each manicotti noodle with the cheese mixture using a piping bag or spoon.
Assembly and Baking
- Spread a layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Place the stuffed manicotti in the dish and cover with the remaining spaghetti sauce.
- Sprinkle the additional mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
Ensure the noodles are cooked until just al dente. Overcooking can make them too soft to hold the filling. Use a piping bag to fill the noodles more easily. If you don’t have one, a plastic bag with the corner cut off works as well. Feel free to add your favorite herbs or spices to the cheese mixture for added flavor. You can add spinach or cooked ground meat to the cheese filling for extra texture and taste. Another option is to use different types of cheese, like goat cheese or feta, to change the flavor profile.