Don't Cook the Pasta Manicotti

Skip the hassle of boiling pasta with this ingenious "Don't Cook the Pasta Manicotti" recipe, a rich and comforting Italian-inspired dish perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Featuring uncooked manicotti shells stuffed with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh spinach, this recipe eliminates the extra prep step by baking the pasta to perfection directly in a savory marinara sauce. Infused with aromatic garlic and Italian seasoning, each shell is packed with flavor and topped with gooey melted cheese for the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Best of all, this simple recipe comes together with just 20 minutes of prep, making it a stress-free way to bring restaurant-quality manicotti to your table. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh parsley, for a dish that's as stunning as it is satisfying.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 14 pieces Manicotti shells
• 16 ounces Ricotta cheese
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 piece Large egg
• 1 cup Fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 4 cups Marinara sauce
• 0.5 cup Water
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped spinach, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully incorporated.

Step 3

Transfer the ricotta mixture to a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Cut off one corner of the bag to create a piping bag.

Step 4

Fill each uncooked manicotti shell by piping the cheese mixture into both ends until fully stuffed. Set aside.

Step 5

In a medium mixing bowl, combine marinara sauce and water. Mix well to create a slightly thinner sauce.

Step 6

Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce mixture evenly on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 7

Arrange the filled manicotti shells in a single layer on top of the sauce in the baking dish.

Step 8

Pour the remaining marinara sauce mixture over the manicotti, ensuring all shells are completely covered in sauce.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep in the moisture and prevent the pasta from drying out.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Step 13

Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2563.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4197.8

Total Fat 152.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 81.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 704.6mg	0%
Sodium 7090.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 489.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.1g	0%
Total Sugars 32.9g
Protein 227.8g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 4681.8mg	0%
Iron 15.4mg	0%
Potassium 1572.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.3%

Protein: 21.5%

Carbs: 46.2%