Best 3 Freeze Ahead Manicotti Recipes
If you're looking to indulge in a delectable meal that offers utmost convenience, freeze-ahead manicotti is the ultimate solution. This versatile dish combines savory fillings, tender pasta shells, and a tantalizing sauce, making it a true culinary delight. Whether you're seeking a hassle-free weeknight meal or preparing for a special occasion, freeze-ahead manicotti is an absolute lifesaver. With its ability to be assembled ahead of time and frozen, this dish offers the perfect balance of taste and practicality. Embark on this culinary journey, as we explore a collection of the best freeze-ahead manicotti recipes, providing you with easy-to-follow instructions, helpful tips, and inspiring flavor combinations. Get ready to experience the culinary magic of freeze-ahead manicotti – a dish that delivers both convenience and exceptional taste.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
FREEZE AHEAD MANICOTTI
Really good served with a spinach salad. I usually make a few of these and lasagna's the same time and they are ready to pull out at any time. (It's just as easy to put a couple together at this point and have them ready.)
Provided by TishT
Categories Manicotti
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Boil manicotti according to package directions, adding oil to water so they won't stick (actually we have had a discussion about this and I'm not sure that works, but I do it anyway!) Meanwhile, mix ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, parsley, and eggs.
- Drain manicotti; run cold water over it.
- Stuff each manicotti with cheese mixture.
- Place them in a 3 qt casserole after treating the dish with nonstick spray, and pour sauce around the manicotti.
- Cover dish with foil and freeze.
- When frozen you can pop it out of the container and put in a freezer bag if desired.
- To prepare for serving, thaw and preheat oven to 350F.
- Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more.
MAKE-AHEAD MANICOTTI
I have used this basic principle and adapted it to make stuffed shells and lasagna. If making lasagna, I buy a second, smaller jar of spaghetti sauce. I always feel like I need a bit more. Merry Manicotti!
Provided by Sandir
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta cheese and eggs until blended. Stir in spinach, mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, sugar, salt and pepper. Stuff mixture into uncooked pasta shells.
- Spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a medium baking dish. Arrange stuffed pasta shells in a single layer over the sauce. Pour the remainder of the sauce over the shells, cover dish, and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake covered for 40 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese, and bake for another 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 506.6 calories, Carbohydrate 55.8 g, Cholesterol 112.3 mg, Fat 19.1 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 28.8 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 1057.8 mg, Sugar 18.4 g
MAKE-AHEAD SPINACH MANICOTTI
When I invite people to dinner, many have started requesting this pasta bake ahead of time because it's that good. Plus, the manicotti is stuffed before it's cooked, making it even more convenient. -Christy Freeman, Central Point, Oregon
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h
Yield 7 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta, spinach, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and seasonings. In another large bowl, mix spaghetti sauce and water; spread 1 cup into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish., Fill uncooked manicotti shells with ricotta mixture; arrange over sauce. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce mixture over top. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Refrigerate, covered, overnight., Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake, uncovered, 40-50 minutes or until manicotti is tender. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked casserole. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 363 calories, Fat 16g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 68mg cholesterol, Sodium 822mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 22g protein.
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients will give your manicotti the best flavor and texture. If possible, use homemade tomato sauce and ricotta cheese.
- Cook the manicotti shells al dente: This means cooking them until they are tender but still have a slight bite to them. Overcooked manicotti shells will be mushy and difficult to stuff.
- Don't overstuff the manicotti shells: Overstuffed manicotti shells will be difficult to seal and may burst open during cooking. Fill the shells just until they are full, but not packed.
- Use a variety of fillings: Manicotti can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as ricotta cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and meat. Get creative and experiment with different fillings to find your favorite combination.
- Freeze the manicotti unbaked: This will help to preserve the flavor and texture of the manicotti. When you're ready to serve, simply thaw the manicotti and bake them according to the recipe instructions.
Conclusion:
Freezing manicotti is a great way to save time and money. By following these tips, you can make delicious manicotti that can be enjoyed for weeks to come. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, reach for your freezer and grab a batch of manicotti. You won't be disappointed!
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