Classic manicotti is made with tender pasta shells stuffed with a creamy ricotta and cheese filling, topped with tomato sauce and more cheese, then baked until hot and bubbly.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

This is such a great recipe for Sunday dinner, holidays or anytime you’re craving some serious comfort food. Serve it with garlic bread and a simple salad for an easy meal the whole family will love.

Classic manicotti is made within tender pasta shells stuffed with a creamy ricotta and cheese filling, topped with tomato sauce and more cheese, then baked until hot and bubbly.

Why You'll Love It

Classic comfort food: This is an old-school Italian-American dinner that’s hearty, cheesy and satisfying.
Easy to assemble: Using a piping bag makes filling the manicotti shells quick and much less messy.
Perfect for feeding a family: A 9 x 13-inch baking dish makes plenty for dinner with leftovers.
Great for entertaining: You can assemble the whole thing ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready.

How To Make It

Here’s everything you need to make this delicious meal. You can find the measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Manicotti Shells – Cook them just until al dente so they’re easy to fill without becoming too soft.
Tomato Sauce – Use your favorite homemade or jarred tomato sauce.
Ricotta Cheese – Creates the creamy base for the manicotti filling.
Mozzarella Cheese – Adds that classic melty, cheesy texture to the filling and top.
Parmesan Cheese – Adds a salty, nutty flavor to the filling and gives the top even more flavor.
Egg – Helps bind the ricotta filling together while it bakes.
Salt and Pepper – Simple seasonings that bring out all the flavors in the cheese.
Garlic Powder – Adds a little savory garlic flavor without overpowering the filling.
Italian Seasoning – Gives the cheese mixture a classic blend of Italian herbs.

How To Make It

Heres how to make this delicious Italian dinner. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Cook the manicotti shells according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain them and let them cool slightly so they’re easy to handle. In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning until everything is well combined. Transfer the ricotta mixture into a piping bag or large resealable plastic bag with one corner snipped off. Carefully pipe the cheese mixture into each manicotti shell, filling the shells from both ends if needed.

ricotta cheese mixture pipped into manicotti shells

Spread a layer of tomato sauce evenly over the bottom of the baking dish Arrange the stuffed manicotti in a single layer over the tomato sauce in the prepared baking dish. Spoon more tomato sauce evenly over the manicotti. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the manicotti are hot and bubbly. Let the manicotti rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

manicotti in baking dish topped with cheese and baked until hot and bubbly

Pro Tips

Cook the manicotti just until al dente. Overcooked shells are much more likely to tear while you’re filling them.
A piping bag is one of the easiest ways to stuff manicotti. If you don’t have one, add the filling to a large resealable bag and snip off one corner.
Try piping the filling in from both ends of the shell. It makes getting the filling evenly distributed much easier.
Make sure there’s enough tomato sauce underneath and over the manicotti. This keeps the pasta moist while it bakes.
Let the manicotti rest for a few minutes after baking so the filling has a chance to set slightly before serving.

Variations

Add Spinach: Mix thawed frozen spinach into the ricotta filling. Just be sure to squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible first.
Make It Meaty: Add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the tomato sauce for a heartier version.
Add Fresh Herbs: Fresh chopped parsley or basil can be added to the ricotta mixture for extra flavor.
Extra Cheesy: Add a little extra mozzarella and Parmesan over the top before baking.
Add Some Heat: Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes into the tomato sauce or cheese filling.

What To Serve With It

Manicotti is already a hearty dinner, so simple sides work best. Garlic bread, is perfect for soaking up the extra tomato sauce.

For something lighter, serve it with a simple green salad, roasted broccoli or green beans.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover manicotti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days.

Manicotti is a great freezer-friendly dinner. Assemble it in a freezer-safe baking dish, cover it tightly and freeze it before baking. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking for the best results.

To reheat individual portions, place them in a microwave-safe dish with a little extra tomato sauce and microwave until heated through.

For larger portions, place the manicotti in an oven-safe baking dish, cover with foil and reheat at 350°F until warmed through. Adding a little extra sauce before reheating will help keep the pasta from drying out.

Other Easy Pasta Recipes

I've rounded up all my Best Baked Pasta Recipes so you can find them easily in one place. I highly recommend my Baked Monterey Chicken Spaghetti. It's always a big hit.

ALL MY BEST BAKED PASTA RECIPES