If you’re craving the ultimate comfort food that’s guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, look no further than this Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe. Picture delicate pasta shells stuffed with a creamy, herby cheese mixture, blanketed in luscious marinara, and bubbling under a blanket of golden, melty cheese. This is a dish that’s both heartwarming and impressive, yet shockingly simple to make—even on a busy weeknight. Trust me, it’s the kind of meal that earns you rave reviews from everyone at the table!

Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe is in its simplicity—each ingredient has a special job to bring out bold flavor, rich texture, and that signature “wow” factor. Whether you’re using pantry staples or a few fresh herbs, every element plays a part in creating the perfect cheesy pasta bake.

Manicotti shells (14): The perfect pasta vessel for holding all that creamy filling; cook them just until pliable so they keep their shape in the oven.
Ricotta cheese (1 (15 oz) container): Creamy, mild, and rich—this forms the heart of the filling and gives every bite a luscious texture.
Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups, divided): For maximum meltiness, mix some into the filling and layer the rest on top for a bubbly, golden crown.
Grated Parmesan cheese (1 cup, divided): Adds savory depth inside and out; its nutty bite balances the richness of the ricotta and mozzarella.
Large egg (1): Essential for binding everything together and making the filling light but cohesive.
Chopped fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, or 1 teaspoon dried): Gives a burst of color and freshness, waking up all the flavors.
Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): A little hint of garlic adds warmth without overpowering the dish.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Brings out every cheesy note—never skip it!
Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Just the right amount of gentle heat to round out the filling.
Marinara sauce (1 (24 oz) jar): Sweet, tangy, and herby, this is the saucy base that ties every bite together—use your favorite store-bought or homemade version.
Olive oil (for greasing): Prevents sticking and helps with easy clean-up—just a drizzle does the trick.

How to Make Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Boil the Pasta

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil and add your manicotti shells. Boil for just 6–7 minutes—they should be pliable but still firm to the bite. Drain your shells and give them a gentle rinse under cool water. This stops the cooking and prevents them from sticking together, so you can fill them easily later on.

Step 2: Mix Up the Dreamy Cheese Filling

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella, 3/4 cup of Parmesan, the egg, chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until it’s completely blended and smooth. This step is where the creamy magic starts—take a quick taste to make sure it’s seasoned just right.

Step 3: Fill Those Manicotti Shells

Transfer the cheese mixture into a piping bag or a large zip-top bag with a corner cut off. This little trick makes it shockingly easy (and even fun!) to neatly fill each manicotti shell. Squeeze the filling into each tube until they’re nice and plump—don’t skimp, you want every bite to be cheesy perfection!

Step 4: Assemble and Sauce

Arrange your filled manicotti shells in the greased baking dish, nestling them close together. Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the shells, making sure every nook and cranny gets happily coated in tomatoey goodness. For the grand finale, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.

Step 5: Bake to Bubbling, Golden Goodness

Cover your dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, letting all those flavors meld and the cheese filling melt together. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the top is gorgeously golden and bubbly. Pull it from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes—it smells amazing, but this short wait helps everything set up for perfect slices.

How to Serve Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil right before serving adds a lovely pop of color and a fresh herbal note that cuts through the richness. If you’re feeling indulgent, a swirl of extra virgin olive oil or a little extra Parmesan grated on top never hurts!

Side Dishes

I love serving this Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe with garlicky breadsticks to mop up all the extra marinara sauce, plus a crisp green salad tossed with Italian dressing for refreshing crunch and balance. Steamed veggies like broccoli or roasted asparagus also make a vibrant addition for a complete meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, try baking the manicotti in individual gratin dishes for a restaurant-worthy look. Or create a beautiful family-style platter and scatter extra herbs and Parmesan on top for a rustic vibe. If you’re feeling playful, slice each shell in half on a diagonal and stack in a “lasagna tower” for a dramatic effect!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully! Once cooled, transfer any uneaten manicotti to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making this dish a delicious next-day treat. Just make sure to cover it well to keep everything moist.

Freezing

This Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe is a superstar for freezing. Assemble the dish (without baking) in a freezer-safe container, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed, adding an extra 10–15 minutes to the covered baking time if needed.

Reheating

To reheat, place your manicotti in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through—usually 20–25 minutes. For single servings, a microwave works in a pinch, but the oven preserves the cheesy texture and gorgeous topping.

FAQs

Can I make the Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the entire dish up to a day ahead, cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it straight into the oven, adding a few extra minutes to the covered baking time since it will be starting from cold.

Can I add meat to the filling?

Yes! For a heartier, meaty version, you can stir cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or even turkey into the cheese filling or the marinara sauce. Just make sure the meat is fully cooked and drained before adding it to avoid excess moisture.

What’s the best way to stuff manicotti shells without breaking them?

Using a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off is by far the easiest and least messy way to fill manicotti shells. Cooking the pasta just until flexible (not soft) also helps keep the tubes intact as you fill them.

Can I use different cheeses?

Definitely! While the Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe shines with the classic trio of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, feel free to fold in some provolone, fontina, or asiago for extra flavor. Just be mindful of saltiness—taste as you go!

Is this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, the Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe as given is fully vegetarian, provided you use a marinara sauce that’s free of meat or animal-based broths. Double-check your cheese labels if keeping strictly vegetarian is important to you.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for the most crowd-pleasing, cozy pasta bake, this Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe truly delivers every single time. It’s comforting, crazy-satisfying, and so much simpler than you’d think. Go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones—you deserve it!

Easy Cheesy Manicotti Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 7 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Easy Cheesy Manicotti recipe is a delicious vegetarian dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner. Stuffed with a creamy cheese mixture and baked in marinara sauce, it’s a comforting and satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Manicotti:

14 manicotti shells

Cheese Filling:

1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
1 large egg
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Other:

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
olive oil for greasing

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
Cook Manicotti: Cook manicotti shells in salted boiling water until pliable but still firm. Drain and rinse.
Prepare Filling: Combine ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 3/4 cup Parmesan, egg, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Fill Manicotti: Fill manicotti shells with cheese mixture and place in baking dish.
Add Sauce: Pour marinara sauce over shells. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for additional 10–15 minutes.
Rest and Serve: Let rest before serving.