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Creamy Baked Manicotti

A delightful combination of tender pasta tubes filled with creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese, topped with rich sauce, perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the filling
  • 8 oz Ricotta Cheese A good source of protein and calcium.
  • 4 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded Provides a gooey texture.
  • 2 oz Parmesan Cheese, grated Adds a sharp and nutty flavor.
  • 1 tsp Salt Enhances the flavors.
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper Freshly ground for a nice kick.
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning Adds aromatic complexity.
For assembly and sauce
  • 12 count Manicotti Pasta Tubes Large pasta tubes for filling.
  • 24 oz Jarred Pasta Sauce Saves time while adding flavor.
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream Enriches the pasta sauce.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the manicotti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and cool.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
Assembly
  1. Transfer the cheese mixture into a piping bag and fill each manicotti tube from both ends.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the jarred pasta sauce and heavy cream. Warm over low heat, stirring until well combined.
  3. Spread some sauce in the bottom of the baking dish, then arrange the stuffed manicotti in a single layer. Pour remaining sauce over the top.
Baking
  1. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  3. Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For a healthy version, use low-fat ricotta and mozzarella. This dish is perfect for meal prep; just bake and store in portions. Freezing the uncooked manicotti is an option too.