Best 10 Special Cheese Manicotti Recipes

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Calling all cheese lovers! Are you searching for a culinary experience that takes your taste buds on a joyful journey? Allow us to introduce you to the exceptional world of "Special Cheese Manicotti." Prepare to embark on a gastronomic adventure where creamy cheeses, tender pasta, and a symphony of flavors come together in perfect harmony. Let us guide you through the world of this delectable dish, showcasing recipes that will leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHEESE MANICOTTI



Cheese Manicotti image

Cheese manicotti was the first meal I cooked for my husband, and all these years later, he still enjoys it! -Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h25m

Yield 7 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 carton (15 ounces) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
4 cups marinara sauce
1/2 cup water
1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells
Additional parsley, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix the first 6 ingredients; stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. In another bowl, mix marinara sauce and water; spread 3/4 cup sauce onto bottom of a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Fill uncooked manicotti shells with ricotta mixture; arrange over sauce. Top with remaining sauce., Bake, covered, 50 minutes or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. If desired, top with additional parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 361 calories, Fat 13g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 64mg cholesterol, Sodium 1124mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

MANICOTTI WITH CHEESE



Manicotti with Cheese image

A delicious and cheesy manicotti recipe! Only use whole milk mozzarella and do not over bake when you heat it up. This recipe is delicious. Enjoy!

Provided by Mary

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (8 ounce) package manicotti pasta
2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 ½ (32 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and cool on waxed paper or aluminum foil to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper; fill manicotti with cheese mixture.
  • In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom and arrange manicotti in a single layer; cover with remaining sauce. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 15 minutes longer; serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 735.6 calories, Carbohydrate 88 g, Cholesterol 72.6 mg, Fat 29.9 g, Fiber 12.8 g, Protein 28.4 g, SaturatedFat 13.8 g, Sodium 2308.5 mg, Sugar 41.2 g

SPECIAL CHEESE MANICOTTI



Special Cheese Manicotti image

Shredded zucchini and bottled Italian salad dressing give such yummy flavor to the cheese filling in this pasta bake that guests will never miss the meat. "It's the perfect size for a small gathering," informs Lisa Otis of Drain, Oregon.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h

Yield 7 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells
2-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup sour cream
1/3 cup prepared Italian salad dressing
1/2 cup shredded zucchini
1 jar (14 ounces) spaghetti sauce

Steps:

  • Cook manicotti according to package directions; rinse in cold water and drain. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in the egg, sour cream, salad dressing and zucchini., Carefully stuff manicotti with cheese filling. Place in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Pour spaghetti sauce over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake 5 minutes longer or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 396 calories, Fat 20g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 77mg cholesterol, Sodium 879mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

SPECIAL MANICOTTI



Special Manicotti image

This recipe comes from a cookbook, A Cause For Applause. I posted the recipe as stated in the book, but I'll list a few "good to know" tips I discovered when making it. I used 2 tbsp sugar, 1 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves, 1 tsp salt and an 8 ounce container of chive & onion cream cheese spread because that's all I could find. I used a 14 1/2 Ounce can of diced tomatoes. Be sure to buy two 8 Ounce boxes of manicotti shells to allow for breakage. A little tip I learned about manicotti shells and lasagna strips is not to boil them. I clean my sink very well and fill it with hot tap water and let the pasta soak for 20 minutes. It finishes cooking in the dish when baked. The pan I used was apprxoximately 10x14 and I was able to fit 21 shells in the pan. I still had a little filling left and probably could have stuffed about 4-5 more shells but I didn't have any shells that weren't broken. The left over filling makes a great spread for crackers. I guess I may not have stuffed mine as full so I was able to yield more shells. I found the best way to stuff the shells was by hand - just simply put a little stuffing in at a time until full. Also, I did not grease my pan and nothing stuck. I covered the dish with foil and baked it for 20 minutes then uncovered and baked another 20 minutes. This dish is a little labor intensive, but is so good and so worth it. I cook my sauce one day and put it together the next so it doesn't seem so time consuming.

Provided by Luby Luby Luby

Categories     Manicotti

Time 3h45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 26

1/2 lb Italian sausage
1 lb ground chuck
2 medium onions, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes, chopped and undrained
1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1 1/4 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
16 manicotti
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese with chives, softened
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 (16 ounce) carton ricotta cheese
4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 Pound)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Remove Italian sausage from casing and crumble well in dutch oven.
  • Add ground beef, onions and garlic to sausage and cook over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble meat.
  • Remove from fire and drain well.
  • Add tomato sauce to dutch oven and the next 11 ingredients.
  • Over medium heat bring to a boil then cover, reduce heat and simmer for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Cook manicotti shells in salted boiling water according to package directions.
  • Drain on paper towels.
  • Combine cream cheeses and the next 7 ingredients in a large bowl or mixer.
  • Stuff mixture into shells.
  • Spoon half the sauce into a lightly greased 14x12 inch baking pan or 2 lightly greased 2 1/2 quart shallow casserole dishes.
  • Place stuffed shells over sauce.
  • Spoon remaining sauce over shells.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until heated.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 713.5, Fat 49.7, SaturatedFat 25.6, Cholesterol 166.4, Sodium 2012.5, Carbohydrate 26.6, Fiber 5, Sugar 15, Protein 42.8

BEEF AND CHEESE MANICOTTI



Beef and Cheese Manicotti image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 pound ground beef
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
14 (8-ounce package) manicotti
1 (15-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups marinara sauce
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

Steps:

  • Heat a heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, onion and ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until the meat browns and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and cool.
  • Brush 1 teaspoon of oil over a large baking sheet. Cook the manicotti in a large pot of boiling salted water until slightly softened, but still very firm to the bite, about 4 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the manicotti from the pot to the oiled baking sheet and cool.
  • Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, 1 1/2 to 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and parsley. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper to taste, and mix. Stir the cooled meat mixture into the cheese mixture.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Brush the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. Fill the manicotti with the cheese-meat mixture. Arrange the stuffed pasta in a single layer in the prepared dish and spoon the remaining sauce over.
  • Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, then the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan over the stuffed pasta. Dot entire dish with the butter pieces. Bake the manicotti uncovered until heated through and the sauce bubbles on the sides of the dish, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let the manicotti stand 5 minutes and serve.

SPINACH CHEESE MANICOTTI



Spinach Cheese Manicotti image

My husband says this dish is restaurant quality. It can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator overnight. Very filling and great served with a salad and garlic bread.

Provided by Ernie

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
½ cup minced onion
1 egg
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
1 ½ cups water
1 (8 ounce) package manicotti shells

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a large bowl, combine ricotta, spinach, onion and egg. Season with parsley, pepper and garlic powder. Mix in 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan. In a separate bowl, stir together spaghetti sauce and water.
  • Spread 1 cup sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Stuff uncooked manicotti shells with ricotta mixture, and arrange in a single layer in the dish. Cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until noodles are soft.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 576.1 calories, Carbohydrate 69 g, Cholesterol 81.8 mg, Fat 20.5 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 29.8 g, SaturatedFat 9.7 g, Sodium 1409.9 mg, Sugar 24.4 g

THE BEST CHEESE MANICOTTI



The Best Cheese Manicotti image

I love Italian food, and I love cooking for my friends at college, so that's how this dish evolved. I don't really use any written recipe when I make it, so some of the seasoning measurements are approximate. This makes seven 2 manicotti shell servings, which is a lot, but it tastes great even as leftovers.

Provided by Nadezhjda

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h5m

Yield 7 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (14 count) box manicotti
1 jar marinara sauce (Bertolli's Burgundy Wine is the best)
1 (30 ounce) container ricotta cheese
3 cups mozzarella cheese (more if you like a lot of cheese)
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese (not grated)
italian seasoning
basil
salt and pepper (optional)
minced garlic (optional)

Steps:

  • Cook the manicotti shells according to the directions on the box.
  • Drain in colander and set aside to dry.
  • Mix all the ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, and 1/4 cup parmesan in a bowl.
  • Add an extra handful of mozzarella and a little more parmesan if you like it cheesier.
  • I like a lot of flavor in my manicotti so I just keep adding the basil and Italian seasoning until I think it’s enough.
  • If you don’t like a lot of seasoning, just put 1 tsp.
  • of each in.
  • If not, just keep adding until it's seasoned to your taste.
  • You can also add a dash of salt and pepper if you like or a little bit of garlic.
  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Once the shells are drained and the cheese is mixed together, begin stuffing the shells.
  • Be careful because they have a tendency to split.
  • Pour about half of the marinara sauce in the bottom of the baking dish and spread evenly before you place the shells in the dish.
  • Once all the shells arranged in the baking dish, pour the remainder of the marinara sauce on top.
  • Then add any leftover cheese on top of the sauce.
  • Sprinkle with basil and Italian seasoning.
  • Cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 443.4, Fat 30.1, SaturatedFat 17.9, Cholesterol 107, Sodium 762.9, Carbohydrate 15.2, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 7.4, Protein 27.6

EASY CHEESY MANICOTTI



Easy Cheesy Manicotti image

Cut prep time by stuffing uncooked manicotti shells with a comforting cheese and spinach filling.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h45m

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 jar (26 oz) chunky-style tomato pasta sauce
2 boxes (9 oz each) frozen spinach, thawed, well drained
1 container (12 oz) small curd creamed cottage cheese (1 1/2 cups)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 package (8 oz) manicotti shells (14 shells)
1/4 cup water
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. In ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish, spread about one-third of the pasta sauce.
  • Mix spinach, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, oregano and pepper. Fill uncooked manicotti shells with spinach mixture; place on sauce in baking dish.
  • In medium bowl, mix remaining pasta sauce and water. Pour sauce mixture evenly over shells, covering completely. Cover; bake 1 hour. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover; bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until shells are tender.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440, Carbohydrate 52 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Fiber 5 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1000 mg, Sugar 13 g, TransFat 0 g

MANICOTTI WITH CHEESE FILLING AND BOLOGNESE SAUCE



Manicotti With Cheese Filling and Bolognese Sauce image

Provided by Craig Claiborne

Categories     quick, pastas, main course

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

Package of 8 manicotti shells
3 cups ricotta cheese stuffing (see recipe)
2 1/2 cups Bolognese sauce (see recipe)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Drop manicotti into boiling water as indicated on package. Cook 10 minutes or until the desired degree of doneness. Do not overcook. Drain.
  • Stuff each manicotti with an equal portion of cheese stuffing, most easily done by using pastry bag outfitted with large round tube (No. 8). Fill them neatly without overflowing.
  • Select rectangular baking dish large enough to hold stuffed manicotti neatly and compactly in one layer. Add one cup of sauce and smooth over bottom. Arrange stuffed manicotti on top. Spoon remaining sauce evenly over manicotti. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake 15 to 20 minutes.

FOUR-CHEESE MANICOTTI



Four-Cheese Manicotti image

A regular spoon works great for stuffing the manicotti noodles, but for a slightly faster fill you could use a piping bag instead.

Provided by Dawn Perry

Categories     Pasta     Dinner     Tomato     Cheese     Parmesan     Ricotta     Mozzarella     Bake

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can whole peeled or diced tomatoes
1 1/4 cups (packed) basil leaves, coarsely chopped, divided
8 ounces dried manicotti noodles
Olive or vegetable oil (for greasing)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup grated Parmesan (about 3 ounces), divided
2/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano (about 2 ounces), divided
1 pound fresh ricotta
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2" pieces
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 large egg

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Add both cans of tomatoes, breaking up with a wooden spoon, then increase heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 cup basil, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, 15-20 minutes.
  • Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and transfer to a lightly oiled rimmed baking sheet.
  • Meanwhile, melt remaining 4 Tbsp. butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until foamy and nutty smelling, 1-2 minutes. Whisking constantly, gradually add milk and bring to a simmer. Cook, whisking often, until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup Parmesan and 1/3 cup Pecorino; season with 1/2 tsp. salt and remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper.
  • Mix ricotta, mozzarella, shallot, egg, 1/3 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup basil, and remaining 1/3 cup Pecorino and 1/2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
  • Spoon ricotta mixture into manicotti noodles at both ends. Spread half of tomato sauce then half of cheese sauce (keep them separate but they'll meld together) on bottom of a 13x9" or other 3-qt. baking dish. Arrange manicotti over, then top with remaining tomato sauce, cheese sauce, and 1/3 cup Parmesan. Bake manicotti until bubbling and lightly browned on top, 30-35 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Top with remaining 1/4 cup basil and serve.

Tips:

  • Choose the right cheese. A blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella is a classic choice for manicotti filling, but you can also use other cheeses, such as cottage cheese, goat cheese, or feta.
  • Use fresh herbs. Fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, and thyme, add a lot of flavor to the filling. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but be sure to use less, as they are more concentrated.
  • Don't overcook the manicotti. Manicotti should be cooked until they are al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. If you overcook them, they will become mushy.
  • Serve manicotti with a flavorful sauce. A simple tomato sauce or a creamy Alfredo sauce are both good choices. You can also top the manicotti with grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
  • Make manicotti ahead of time. Manicotti can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to 2 months. This makes them a great option for busy weeknights.

Conclusion:

Manicotti is a delicious and versatile dish that can be made with a variety of fillings and sauces. These tips will help you make perfect manicotti every time.

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