Skip to main content

Easy Manicotti

Tender pasta loaded with creamy cheeses, fresh herbs and tangy tomato sauce.
Plate of stuffed cheese pasta with red sauce and fresh parsley.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Makes: 14 Filled shells
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells (14 shells)
1 egg
1 carton (15 ounces) low-fat ricotta or cottage cheese
6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 ½ cups)
½ cup minced fresh parsley or 3 Tablespoons dried parsley
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 to 26 ounces) pasta sauce (3 cups)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh herbs under running water before preparing.

  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  4. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
  5. While pasta is cooking, beat egg in medium bowl. Add ricotta or cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Mix well.
  6. Pour a little of the pasta sauce in the bottom of a rectangular baking dish to prevent pasta from sticking.
  7. Stuff shells with filling (about 2 to 3 rounded teaspoons per shell). Arrange stuffed shells in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce evenly over pasta.
  8. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until bubbly throughout.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
  10. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Add grated parmesan cheese to the filling mixture.
  • Add your favorite herbs to the sauce for more flavor.

Comments

I really LOVE this recipe, its so easy and tasted great!  BUT my 2 little girls didn't like the creamy inside, they just wanted the noodles and tomato sauce.  So its works out well for me - froze the extra for work lunches.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Strawberry Cucumber Salad
Strawberry and cucumber slices coated with poppy seed dressing.

Strawberry Cucumber Salad

A refreshing sweet and savory salad with sliced strawberries, crisp cucumbers and honey mustard dressing.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Crustless Pumpkin Pie
Moist slice of pumpkin pie.

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Easy one-bowl treat that is creamy, sweet and full of fall spice.
Prepare:
0
Cook:
1 hour
Makes:
8 Slices
Fish Tacos
Platter of corn tortillas with creamy slaw and fish filling served with lime wedges.

Fish Tacos

30-minute tacos with a creamy slaw, tangy lime and a hint of cayenne.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 tacos
Green Salad with Peas
Lettuce bed topped with peas and feta cheese on a plate.

Green Salad with Peas

Fresh green salad, tossed with peas, cucumber and creamy feta.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Couscous Salad
Large bowl of a vegetable packed Couscous Salad.

Couscous Salad

A light and colorful salad combining sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans and fresh vegetables with couscous pasta.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Master Mix
Glass jar labeled Master Mix with a flour-based baking mix.

Master Mix

Make your own baking mix to have on hand for quick biscuits, pancakes and other recipes.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
10 cups