Best 5 Ricotta Manicotti Recipes

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Prepare to embark on a culinary journey inspired by the flavors of Italy with our comprehensive guide to the art of cooking ricotta manicotti. This classic dish combines the smooth, creamy texture of ricotta cheese with the tender embrace of pasta, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, this article will provide you with the essential knowledge and step-by-step instructions to craft the perfect ricotta manicotti, transforming your kitchen into a haven of Italian culinary artistry.

Let's cook with our recipes!

RICOTTA CHEESE STUFFING FOR JUMBO SHELLS AND MANICOTTI



Ricotta Cheese Stuffing for Jumbo Shells and Manicotti image

Provided by Craig Claiborne

Categories     dinner, easy, quick

Time 5m

Yield About 3 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups (1 pound) ricotta cheese
1/2 cup finely diced Mozzarella cheese
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 cup finely chopped prosciutto
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and use to stuff pasta.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 202, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 3 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 363 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CRAB AND RICOTTA MANICOTTI



Crab and Ricotta Manicotti image

Categories     Sauce     Bake     Ricotta     Crab     Boil

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 box manicotti pasta (about 12 shells) or an (8-ounce) box cannelloni
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over for shells and cartilage
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
Butter for the pan
Béchamel sauce (page 225)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta, 3/4 cup of the Parmesan, the egg yolk, basil, crab, salt, and pepper.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9 x 13 x 2-inch glass baking dish.
  • Fill the manicotti with the crab mixture and place in the prepared baking dish. Top the filled manicotti with the béchamel sauce and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Bake until bubbly and the top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

RICOTTA STUFFED MANICOTTI



RICOTTA STUFFED MANICOTTI image

Categories     Cheese     Pasta     Bake     Vegetarian     Kid-Friendly     Quick & Easy     Dinner

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 18

For the stuffing:
2 cups of ricotta cheese
3/4 cup of shredded mozarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra 1/3 cup
Salt
Pepper
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp of dried parsley
2 eggs beaten
1 box of manicotti
For the sauce:
15 large tomatoes
1/2 cup of fresh basil
Salt
Pepper
1 tbsp of paprika
1 tbsp of garlic powder
1 tbsp of olive oil

Steps:

  • In a small pan, heat up the olive oil. Add the tomatoes diced, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika. Cover and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring often. About 5 minutes before the end of cooking time, add the chopped fresh basil and mix very well. Prepare the manicotti according to the package direction. In a large bowl, mix the ricotta, mozarella, parmesan, salt, pepper, eggs and parsley. Stuff the manicotti. Pour half of the tomato sauce in a large pan. Arrange the shells over the sauce and cover with the rest of the tomato sauce. Sprinkle some extra parmesan and bake for 40 minutes on 350.

CHICKEN BAKED RICOTTA MANICOTTI



Chicken Baked Ricotta Manicotti image

A baked pasta dish that will leave you craving more. Its cheesy thick and delicious. Sometimes I use light or fat free ricotta and cottage cheese then sub butter milk for the cream to make it less rich.

Provided by Juliansmommy

Categories     Manicotti

Time 1h5m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb boneless skinless chicken
8 ounces manicotti
1/2 cup ricotta cheese (can use light)
1/2 cup cottage cheese (can use light)
1 cup parmesan-romano cheese mix
4 garlic cloves
2 -3 tablespoons garlic salt (and more to taste)
2 cups Italian cheese blend
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Cut chicken into small cubes.
  • Chop garlic very fine.
  • Cook chicken and garlic with olive oil and garlic salt. When done set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 325°F.
  • Boil water and cook manicotti according to box directions.
  • Mix ricotta,cottage cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan mix and salt to taste.
  • Add cooked chicken.
  • Take manicotti pasta and stuff with mixture.
  • Set in non-stick bake pan in rows (it should fill bottom of pan).
  • If there is any stuffing left over, layer it on top.
  • Pour heavy cream over until all is covered (do not have to use all of it). Then top with cheese and remaining parmesan mix cheese and bake for 25 minutes then raise heat to 375°F for 8-15 more minutes depending on how brown and bubbly you like the top.
  • Enjoy with garlic bread, salad or your favorite side items.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 366.5, Fat 19.3, SaturatedFat 10.7, Cholesterol 94.4, Sodium 309.6, Carbohydrate 23.9, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 1.3, Protein 23.5

EGGPLANT MANICOTTI WITH RICOTTA, ASIAGO, AND SPINACH FILLING



Eggplant Manicotti with Ricotta, Asiago, and Spinach Filling image

Categories     Cheese     Garlic     Tomato     Bake     Parmesan     Ricotta     Basil     Eggplant     Spinach     Winter     Bon Appétit     Illinois

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Sauce
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 large carrot, peeled, chopped
1/4 cup chopped garlic
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with added puree
1 cup chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
1 cup chopped fresh basil (from about 2 large bunches)
Manicotti
1 pound fresh or whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Asiago cheese* (about 3 ounces)
3/4 cup chopped fresh baby spinach
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 large egg
2 medium eggplants, unpeeled, each cut lengthwise into eight 1/3-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup (about) olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • For sauce:
  • Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic; sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add wine and cook 3 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, stock, and basil; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes to blend flavors. Season with salt and pepper. Cool.
  • For manicotti:
  • Place ricotta cheese in strainer set over large bowl. Let stand until excess liquid drains from cheese, about 2 hours. Transfer ricotta cheese to medium bowl. Stir in Asiago cheese, spinach, nutmeg, and cayenne. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in egg.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil 2 large baking sheets. Brush both sides of eggplant slices with olive oil; arrange on prepared sheets. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until eggplant slices are tender, about 13 minutes. Cool on sheets.
  • Place 1 eggplant slice on work surface. Place scant 2 tablespoons ricotta mixture near narrower end of eggplant slice. Roll up, enclosing filling. Repeat with remaining eggplant slices and filling.
  • Spread half of sauce over bottom of 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Arrange eggplant manicotti in single layer atop sauce. Spoon remaining sauce over. (Manicotti can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake manicotti until heated through, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.
  • Available at specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.

Tips:

  • Choose the right ricotta cheese: Use high-quality, fresh ricotta cheese for the best flavor and texture.
  • Season the ricotta filling generously: Don't be afraid to add plenty of herbs, spices, and cheese to the ricotta filling. This will give it a lot of flavor and make the manicotti more enjoyable.
  • Use a variety of cheeses: Don't just stick to one type of cheese for the filling. Try mixing and matching different cheeses, such as Parmesan, mozzarella, and Romano, to create a more complex flavor.
  • Don't overcook the manicotti: The manicotti should be cooked until they are al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooking will make them mushy and less enjoyable.
  • Serve the manicotti with your favorite sauce: There are many different sauces that you can serve with manicotti, such as tomato sauce, Alfredo sauce, or pesto sauce. Choose a sauce that you and your family will enjoy.

Conclusion:

Ricotta manicotti is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its creamy ricotta filling, flavorful sauce, and al dente pasta, it's sure to be a hit at your next meal. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, give ricotta manicotti a try. You won't be disappointed!

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