Let’s talk about comfort food at its finest. Imagine creamy ricotta filling wrapped in delicate pasta tubes, smothered with tangy marinara sauce, and topped with gooey melted cheese. Sounds amazing, right? Well, that’s exactly what you get with this Cannelloni (Manicotti) recipe—pure, comforting Italian goodness that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
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This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner, a special occasion, or when you just want to indulge in something hearty and flavorful. Plus, it’s simple to make and can easily be adapted to suit your tastes. Let’s get ready to dig into this mouthwatering pasta delight!
Why You’ll Love Cannelloni (Manicotti)
This dish isn’t just about the layers of cheese and pasta—it’s about bringing people together over a meal that feels as comforting as a big hug. Here’s why you’re going to love this recipe:
Perfectly Cozy: This dish is all about warmth and comfort. Whether it’s a cold evening or a family gathering, Cannelloni is the kind of meal that makes you feel right at home.
Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a dish that both kids and adults adore, and it’s always a hit at the dinner table. The combination of rich, creamy filling and tangy marinara is a flavor explosion!
Customizable: You can tweak the filling to your liking—add spinach for extra nutrition, swap ricotta for mascarpone, or use a blend of cheeses to make it your own.
Easy to Make: While it looks impressive, Cannelloni is actually pretty straightforward to prepare. No complicated steps—just assemble, bake, and enjoy!
Make-Ahead: This recipe is perfect for prepping ahead of time. Assemble the Cannelloni in the morning, and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious Cannelloni (Manicotti):
Cannelloni Tubes: These large pasta tubes are the perfect vessel to hold all that creamy filling.
Ricotta Cheese: The creamy, dreamy base of the filling. If you like, you can mix it with a bit of mozzarella for extra stretchiness.
Mozzarella Cheese: A must for melting on top! Use fresh mozzarella for that beautiful gooey texture.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor to the filling and the topping.
Egg: Helps bind the ricotta filling together for a creamy, smooth texture.
Spinach: A great addition for some extra flavor and color. You can use fresh or frozen spinach.
Marinara Sauce: The classic tomato sauce with garlic and herbs. If you want to elevate the flavor, make your own marinara or use your favorite store-bought brand.
Garlic: Adds depth to the marinara sauce and a lovely fragrance to the dish.
Italian Seasoning: A blend of basil, oregano, and thyme to give the filling and sauce that classic Italian taste.
Olive Oil: For sautéing the garlic and adding a bit of richness to the sauce.
Salt and Pepper: For seasoning to taste.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to make this mouthwatering Cannelloni:
Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking the cannelloni tubes according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside. Be sure not to overcook them—just cook until al dente.
Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, cooked spinach (squeezed dry if using frozen), and a pinch of Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Prepare the Sauce: In a pan, heat a bit of olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add your marinara sauce and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Season with salt, pepper, and a little extra Italian seasoning.
Stuff the Cannelloni: Gently stuff each pasta tube with the ricotta mixture. You can use a spoon or, for less mess, a piping bag to fill the tubes evenly.
Assemble the Dish: Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed cannelloni in the dish, making sure they’re nestled together.
Top with Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the filled pasta. Sprinkle with extra mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for that irresistible melty finish.
Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 25 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes to let the cheese turn golden and bubbly.
Finishing Touches: Once baked, let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you like.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot with a side of garlic bread and a fresh salad for the ultimate Italian meal.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Calories per serving: 350
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
How to Serve Cannelloni (Manicotti)
Cannelloni is rich and satisfying on its own, but if you’re looking to complete your meal, here are a few serving suggestions:
Garlic Bread: Serve with crispy, buttery garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce.
Side Salad: A fresh, crisp salad with greens like arugula, spinach, or mixed greens with a light vinaigrette is a perfect contrast to the rich pasta.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms would make a wonderful, healthy side dish.
Grilled Meats: If you want to make the meal heartier, grilled chicken or Italian sausage pairs beautifully with this dish.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
Make It Ahead: Assemble the Cannelloni earlier in the day, cover it with foil, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it. When you’re ready, just pop it in the oven and enjoy!
Use Fresh Spinach: If you’re using fresh spinach, be sure to cook it down and squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the filling.
Add Extra Toppings: Feel free to add extra toppings like sautéed mushrooms or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Storage Tips: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Freezing: Cannelloni freezes beautifully. Simply assemble the dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding extra time to ensure it’s heated through.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use manicotti tubes instead of cannelloni?
A1: Absolutely! Cannelloni and manicotti are essentially the same, so feel free to use either one.
Q2: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A2: Yes! You can assemble the dish and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
Q4: Can I freeze this dish?
A4: Yes! Assemble the dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding extra time as needed.
Q5: How do I prevent the pasta from tearing when stuffing?
A5: Be gentle when filling the pasta tubes and avoid overcooking them. If they’re slightly undercooked (al dente), they’ll hold up better.
Q6: Can I make this dish vegetarian?
A6: Yes! This recipe is already vegetarian, but you can add more veggies to the filling, such as sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant.
Q7: Can I add meat to the filling?
A7: Definitely! Ground beef, sausage, or even shredded chicken would make great additions to the filling.
Q8: Can I use store-bought sauce?
A8: Yes! A good-quality marinara sauce works wonderfully for this recipe.
Q9: How do I make the sauce from scratch?
A9: To make marinara sauce from scratch, sauté garlic in olive oil, then add crushed tomatoes, a pinch of sugar, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Q10: How can I make this dish spicier?
A10: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle some spicy sausage into the filling for a kick.
Conclusion
Cannelloni (Manicotti) is the ultimate comfort food—hearty, cheesy, and utterly delicious. With its rich filling, savory marinara, and gooey cheese topping, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Plus, it’s easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd or just indulging in something truly satisfying. Enjoy every cheesy, flavorful bite!
Print
Cannelloni (Manicotti)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Cannelloni (Manicotti) is a classic Italian dish made with tender pasta tubes filled with a rich mixture of ricotta and spinach, all topped with marinara sauce and melty mozzarella. This comforting and elegant dish is perfect for a family dinner or special occasion. It’s a true crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
For the Tomato Sauce
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2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
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1 large onion, finely chopped
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3 cloves garlic, pressed
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49 ounces tomato puree (2 bottles of 24.5 ounces/700 grams each)
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2 cups water
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3/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
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1/8 teaspoon black pepper
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10 fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)
For the Filling
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1 pound frozen spinach (or 32 ounces/1kg fresh spinach)
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1 pound ricotta (whole-milk)
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1 cup parmesan (finely grated)
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1 teaspoon lemon zest (grated)
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1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (grated)
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1/2 teaspoon salt (plus black pepper to taste)
Other Ingredients
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20 dried cannelloni tubes (8.8 ounces/250 grams) or manicotti (see notes)
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8 ounces fresh mozzarella, chopped into small dice
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1/2 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
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Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet. Add 1 large chopped onion and sauté over medium-low heat for 4 minutes.
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Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for another minute, stirring often.
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Pour in 49 ounces of tomato puree, rinse the bottles with 2 cups of water, and add that to the pan.
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Season with ¾ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, and simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Add 10 fresh chopped basil leaves, taste, and adjust the seasoning for salt.
Filling
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Thaw the frozen spinach and squeeze out any excess moisture. If using fresh spinach, sauté and wilt it before draining well.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the spinach with 1 pound of ricotta, 1 cup of grated parmesan, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon salt (and black pepper to taste). Mix well.
Assembly
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Cook the cannelloni tubes according to package instructions, ensuring they are al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Fill each pasta tube with the spinach and ricotta mixture using a piping bag or spoon.
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In a large 9×13-inch (20×30 cm) baking dish, spread a small amount of tomato sauce to cover the bottom.
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Arrange the stuffed cannelloni in the dish and pour the remaining tomato sauce over them.
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Sprinkle 8 ounces of chopped fresh mozzarella and ½ cup of grated parmesan over the top.
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Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
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Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg