Cheesy Manicotti is a classic Italian-American dish that brings together the comforting flavors of pasta, cheese, and savory marinara sauce. This recipe, carefully crafted for lovewithrecipes.com, promises a delightful culinary experience in the comfort of your own kitchen. With a total preparation and cooking time of just 1 hour and 10 minutes, including a mere 30 minutes in the oven, this Cheesy Manicotti recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a satisfying homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
To embark on this culinary journey, you’ll need a handful of simple yet flavorful ingredients, all of which can be easily found in your local grocery store. Prepare yourself for a feast featuring tender manicotti shells generously stuffed with a luscious cheese mixture and bathed in a rich marinara sauce, all topped off with a decadent layer of melted mozzarella cheese.
Let’s delve into the details of this delightful recipe:
Ingredients:
- 12 manicotti shells
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup chives, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
Instructions:
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Preparation of Manicotti Shells:
- Begin by cooking the manicotti shells according to the package directions until they are al dente. Once cooked, drain them thoroughly to remove excess water.
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Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
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Prepare the Baking Dish:
- Lightly grease a 13×9 inch baking dish to prevent the manicotti from sticking during the baking process.
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Combine Cheese Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, chives, dried basil, dried marjoram, salt, and black pepper. Mix these ingredients well until they are thoroughly combined to create a creamy and flavorful cheese filling.
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Stuff Manicotti Shells:
- Using a spoon or a piping bag, carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the prepared cheese mixture until they are generously filled.
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Arrange in Baking Dish:
- Once stuffed, arrange the filled manicotti shells in the greased baking dish, ensuring they are snugly packed together.
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Cover with Sauce:
- Pour half of the spaghetti sauce evenly over the arranged manicotti in the baking dish, ensuring that each shell is coated with sauce.
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Bake:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the manicotti at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
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Add Cheese Topping:
- After 25 minutes of baking, remove the manicotti from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
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Final Bake:
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese topping is golden and bubbly.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Once fully baked, remove the Cheesy Manicotti from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired, and serve hot alongside your favorite side dishes or a crisp green salad.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 506.2
- Total Fat: 18.8g
- Saturated Fat: 8.5g
- Cholesterol: 112.2mg
- Sodium: 1422.9mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 53.9g
- Dietary Fiber: 2.1g
- Sugar: 15.7g
- Protein: 29.2g
Recipe Yield and Serving Size:
- Recipe Servings: 6
- Recipe Yield: Individual servings
With its irresistible combination of flavors and textures, this Cheesy Manicotti recipe is sure to become a family favorite, perfect for gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice cook, this recipe promises to deliver a mouthwatering experience that will have everyone asking for seconds. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to indulge in the cheesy goodness of this delectable Italian-inspired dish!
