• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bless this Mess
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Sides
  • Desserts
  • Snacks
  • Holidays
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Recipe Filter
  • Cookbooks!
  • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Cookbooks!
    • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Bless This Mess > Recipes > Easy Dinners > Pasta

    Manicotti

    Published: Feb 17, 2021 · Modified: Mar 8, 2021 by Melissa · Leave a Comment

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    close up picture of manicotti on a plate with the words "baked manicotti recipe" written at the top
    top picture of the top view of a plate of manicotti, bottom picture is of a baking dish of baked manicotti with the words "three cheese manicotti" written in the middle
    top view of manicotti on a plate and in a baking dish with the words "the best manicotti" written at the top
    close up picture of manicotti on a plate with the words "baked manicotti recipe" written at the top

    Pasta lovers unite! This Manicotti dish has all of the flavors you know and love, but it so much easier than your typical manicotti recipe.

    Not all Manicotti recipes are created equal. Most manicotti recipes out there take quite a bit of effort, but this one is a cinch. The difference is that this recipe doesn’t require any stuffing of shells which makes it so much easier. 

    plate of manicotti with a pan of manicotti in the background

    Manicotti

    Manicotti starts out with canned tomatoes and garlic being cooked together to make a delicious tomato sauce. Then you create the filling which consists of ricotta cheese, parmesan, and mozzarella. Talk about a triple threat in the cheese department. 

    What is fun about this recipe is that you aren't stuffing manicotti shells like you typically do. Instead, you simply soften no-boil lasagna noodles in hot water for a few minutes and then roll the manicotti up. The magic is in the rolling and not stuffing!

    Making manicotti like this is a total game changer! No more working with noodles that are ripping and falling apart. So much easier to put together with all the same great flavors.

    top view of a plate of manicotti and forks next to a pan of manicotti

    What does manicotti mean?

    In Italian manicotti means “little sleeve.” Manicotti noodles are traditionally stuffed like a tube and baked similar to lasagna.

    Can I use lasagna noodles instead of manicotti noodles?

    Yes! It is much simpler to prepare this dish like that. I use Barilla no-boil lasagna for this recipe and it gets five stars every time.

    top view of a pan of baked manicotti with serving utensils next to it.

    Is manicotti a good freezer meal?

    Manicotti is a great meal to freeze. I prefer to freeze before baking. This is also a great meal to take to a new mom or a sick friend because they can eat it right away or tuck away in the freezer for later. 

    collage on how to make manicotti

    More Dinner Recipes:

    • Classic Lasagna Recipe
    • Skillet Taco Pasta made with ground beef
    • The Best One Pot Baked Ziti
    • Easy Roasted Tomato & Sausage Pasta
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    plate of manicotti with a pan of manicotti in the background

    Manicotti Recipe


    • Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
    • Total Time: 1 hour 40 min
    • Yield: serves 8
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Pasta lovers unite! This Manicotti dish has all of the flavors you know and love, but it so much easier than your typical manicotti recipe.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the Tomato Sauce:

    • 2 cans crushed tomatoes (28 ounces each)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

    Cheese Filling: 

    • 24 ounces (3 cups) ricotta cheese
    • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
    • 2 cups grated parmesan cheese, separated
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 16 no-boil lasagna noodles

    Instructions

    For the Tomato Sauce: 

    1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil, garlic, and pepper flakes. Cook about 3 minutes until golden brown, stirring often.
    2. Stir in tomatoes and salt and bring to a simmer.
    3. Cook for about 5-10 minutes, until thickened slightly.
    4. Stir in basil and set aside.

    For Cheese Filling: 

    1. Combine ricotta, mozzarella, 1 cup Parmesan, eggs, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. 

    To assemble: 

    1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat the oven to 375℉.
    2. In a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish, pour 2 inches of boiling water. Place noodles into water, one at a time, and soak about 10-12 minutes until pliable. Separate noodles with the tip of a sharp knife to prevent sticking. Remove noodles from the water and place in a single layer on clean dish towels. Discard water and dry baking dish. 
    3. Spread 1 ½ cups sauce evenly over the bottom of the dish. On the bottom three-quarters of each noodle, spread ¼ cup cheese mixture, leaving the top quarter of the noodle exposed.
    4. Roll noodles into a tube shape and place in a baking dish with the seam side down.
    5. Top with remaining sauce, making sure that the noodles are completely covered.
    6. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
    7. Remove the dish from the oven and remove the foil. Adjust oven rack to be 6 inches from broiler element. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup Parmesan over the manicotti. Broil for about 4 to 6 minutes until the cheese is spotty brown.
    8. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. 

    Notes

    • I love this recipe! You can definitely use traditional manicotti noodles for it but I think rolling them up is much easier than filling individual noodles.
    • Prep Time: 35
    • Cook Time: 50
    • Category: Main Dish
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Keywords: manicotti, manicotti recipe, how to manicotti

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @blessthismessblog on Instagram and hashtag it #blessthismess

    This method of making manicotti is revolutionary. You will love the classic flavor combined with the simplicity of this Italian dish. I know you and your family will devour this meal in no time!

    « Blondies
    Chicken Piccata »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Mail
    Craving More

    Take the hassle out of meal planning with: Dinner Made Easy, a FREE 1 week meal plan with full shopping list, easy dinners, nutrition information, serving suggestions for each meal, and more!

    Subscribe Now
    about me

    About Melissa

    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆
    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’M MELISSA, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU FEED YOUR FAMILY WHOLESOME FOOD.

    As a hobby farmer and mom of five, I’m all about keeping it simple in the kitchen. I want healthy meals that feed my family well, and then I want to get back to my (messy) life. Let’s work together to find something yummy for your dinner table.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • bowl of hummus with red spice on top
      How to Make Hummus
    • close up of a slice of french silk pie
      French Silk Pie
    • top view of a sliced loaf of cinnamon bread sliced half way
      Cinnamon Babka
    • slow cooker and a ladle with taco soup
      Slow Cooker Taco Soup
    Dinner Made Easy

    Get Recipes & More for Free!

    Get my FREE Dinner Made Easy meal plan, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Get my newsletter or a new recipe every day! Unsubscribe if you aren’t into it.

    Subscribe Now

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Tools.
    • Terms Of Service.
    • Accessibility.
    • Bylaws.

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Us
    • Cookbook FAQ
    • Find A Recipe!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 blessthismessplease.com. All rights reserved.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter