Manicotti with Marinara Sauce

Manicotti with Marinara Sauce is a classic Italian-American comfort dish that features large pasta tubes stuffed with a creamy, cheesy filling, smothered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, and baked to bubbly perfection. This dish is indulgent yet approachable, offering the perfect combination of tender pasta, velvety ricotta cheese, savory herbs, and tangy marinara.

Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, preparing a meal for guests, or craving a hearty weeknight indulgence, manicotti is always a crowd-pleaser. Each bite delivers comforting flavors that feel like a warm hug — creamy, cheesy, and perfectly balanced with the brightness of tomato sauce and aromatic herbs.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love Manicotti with Marinara Sauce because it embodies the essence of classic Italian comfort food. The creamy ricotta filling blended with Parmesan and mozzarella creates a luscious interior, while the tender pasta absorbs the flavors of the marinara sauce beautifully.

The presentation is also stunning: neatly arranged tubes of pasta topped with sauce and melted cheese, garnished with fresh basil, making it perfect for special occasions and casual family dinners alike.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Classic Italian flavor: Rich cheese filling combined with tangy marinara sauce.
• Customizable: Add spinach, mushrooms, or ground meat to the filling.
• Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, holidays, or gatherings.
• Comfort food at its finest: Creamy, cheesy, and indulgent without being overly heavy.
• Beautiful presentation: Perfect for serving guests or impressing family.

Once you try it, you’ll see why manicotti remains a beloved Italian-American classic.

Recipe Overview

• Course: Main Course / Dinner
• Cuisine: Italian / Comfort Food
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 35–40 minutes
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Servings: 6 servings
• Calories: ~450 kcal per serving

Ingredients

For the Filling

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or 1 cup cooked and drained frozen spinach)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Sauce

• 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garnish

• Fresh basil or parsley
• Extra shredded mozzarella or Parmesan

For the Pasta

• 12–14 manicotti shells (uncooked or pre-cooked according to package instructions)

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Stir in marinara sauce, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, spinach, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix until smooth and evenly combined. Set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta (if needed)

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook manicotti shells according to package instructions until al dente.
3. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
4. Lay out on a lightly oiled tray to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Stuff the Manicotti

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Fill each manicotti shell with 2–3 tablespoons of the cheese and spinach mixture using a spoon or piping bag.
4. Arrange the filled shells in the prepared baking dish.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

1. Pour remaining marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
2. Sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
3. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
4. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 6: Serve

1. Allow the dish to cool slightly for 5 minutes before serving.
2. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
3. Serve hot with garlic bread or a fresh green salad.

Save it

How to Serve

• Serve directly from the baking dish for a family-style presentation.
• Pair with:
  • Garlic bread or focaccia
  • Caesar or mixed green salad
  • A glass of red wine, such as Chianti or Merlot

Recipe Tips

• Don’t overfill the shells: Overstuffing can cause cheese to spill out during baking.
• Drain spinach well: Excess moisture can make the filling runny.
• Use fresh herbs: Basil and parsley brighten the dish.
• Make-ahead: Assemble the manicotti in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
• Cheese options: Mix in provolone or fontina for extra flavor.

Variations

• Vegetable Manicotti: Add roasted zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the filling.
• Meat Lover’s Version: Incorporate cooked ground beef, sausage, or chicken into the ricotta filling.
• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or chopped roasted red peppers to the filling.
• Garlic Lovers’ Version: Roast garlic and mix into the ricotta filling for a deeper flavor.
• Kale and Spinach: Substitute kale for spinach for a slightly earthy taste.

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigeration:
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
• Freezing:
  • Assemble manicotti (unbaked) in a freezer-safe dish.
  • Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Bake from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 45–50 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large pot for pasta
• Skillet for sauce
• Mixing bowls
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Aluminum foil
• Spoon or piping bag for stuffing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use no-boil pasta shells?
Yes! Just ensure the sauce is slightly thinner so the pasta can cook fully in the oven.

Q2: Can I make this vegan?
Yes, substitute ricotta and mozzarella with plant-based cheeses and skip the egg.

Q3: Can I prepare this in advance?
Absolutely! Stuff the shells, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Q4: Can I add meat to the filling?
Yes, cooked ground beef, sausage, or chicken can be mixed with the cheese filling.

Q5: Can I freeze baked manicotti?
Yes, allow to cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven until bubbly.

Conclusion

Manicotti with Marinara Sauce is a comforting, cheesy, and satisfying dish that highlights the best of Italian-American cuisine. Creamy ricotta filling, tender pasta, and rich marinara sauce combine to create a meal that’s hearty, flavorful, and visually stunning.

Perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or make-ahead meals, this recipe proves that classic comfort food can be both elegant and approachable. Once you try it, manicotti will become a staple in your home-cooked Italian repertoire — creamy, cheesy, and utterly irresistible.

Manicotti with Marinara Sauce

Manicotti with Marinara Sauce is a classic Italian-American comfort dish that features large pasta tubes stuffed with a creamy, cheesy filling, smothered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, and baked to bubbly perfection.

Author: Stella Parker Cuisine: Italian Course: Pasta

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 1 hr Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 6

Ingredients

Servings

For the Filling

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or 1 cup cooked and drained frozen spinach)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Sauce

• 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garnish

• Fresh basil or parsley
• Extra shredded mozzarella or Parmesan

For the Pasta

• 12 manicotti 12–14 shells (uncooked or pre-cooked according to package instructions)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Sauce : Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in marinara sauce, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Prepare the Filling : In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, spinach, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and evenly combined. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Cook the Pasta (if needed) : Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook manicotti shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Lay out on a lightly oiled tray to prevent sticking.
4. Step 4: Stuff the Manicotti : Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Fill each manicotti shell with 2–3 tablespoons of the cheese and spinach mixture using a spoon or piping bag. Arrange the filled shells in the prepared baking dish.
5. Step 5: Assemble and Bake : Pour remaining marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Step 6: Serve : Allow the dish to cool slightly for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot with garlic bread or a fresh green salad.

Keywords: Manicotti with Marinara Sauce