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)

Breakfast Banana Split
A bowl with halved banana is topped with yogurt, pineapple chunks and a sprinkle of granola.

Breakfast Banana Split

This kid-approved recipe is a fun breakfast idea topped with pineapple and honey!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 Banana Splits
Tuna Pasta Salad
Bowl of macaroni noodles with tuna and vegetable cubes.

Tuna Pasta Salad

Classic summer dish with macaroni, fresh veggies and a creamy dressing.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Bowl of chopped cucumber and tomatoes with a creamy dressing.

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Simple salad option with fresh dill, a creamy dressing, and ready in 10 minutes!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Carrot, Jicama and Orange Salad
Photo of Carrot, Jicama and Orange Salad

Carrot, Jicama and Orange Salad

Fresh and colorful salad with a tangy homemade dressing!
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Strawberry Sipper Flavored Water
Glasses of pink strawberry water with mint.

Strawberry Sipper Flavored Water

Strawberry puree makes this water refreshing and tasty!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
6 Servings
Turkey Stroganoff
Casserole dish of creamy noodles with peas and turkey topped with crushed corn flakes.

Turkey Stroganoff

Comforting macaroni with a creamy mushroom sauce and tasty peas. Ready in under an hour!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Was this page helpful to you?