If you need a few more fun dinner ideas, be sure to try my Meatball Subs, Harvest Bowls, or Pot Roast!
How to make Manicotti:
Marinara (or use store-bought): This easy homemade marinara only takes 15-minutes, but if you’re in a pinch, you can use 3 cups jarred sauce. And if you have a few extra minutes and want over-the-top, restaurant quality manicotti, make our homemade Marinara Sauce that only takes 15 minutes. You’ll thank yourself later! Cheese Filling: Mix ricotta, mozzarella, eggs, salt, pepper, herbs, and 1 cup parmesan cheese in a bowl then set aside. Prep Noodles: Pour 1-inch boiling water in a large casserole dish and submerge a few dry, no-boil noodles, allowing them to soak until pliable (about 5 minutes). Separate the noodles with a fork if needed so they don’t stick. Remove them to a single layer on a plate. Assemble: Pour about 1 ½ cups of marinara in a 9×13 baking dish. Scoop ¼ cup of the cheese mixture and place along one short end of the lasagna noodle. Roll up into a tube and place in baking dish, seam side down. We fit 8 manicotti in each row, allowing 16 in a dish. Bake: Pour the rest of the marinara sauce on top of the pasta, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, until bubbly. Sprinkle 1 cup parmesan over pasta and bake for 5-7 more minutes, until cheese is melted. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve with homemade breadsticks and a salad!
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: fill and roll the manicotti, place in pan, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Store marinara topping seperatly and add before baking. To Freeze: Prepare the pan of homemade manicotti, cover with a sheet of parchment paper then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking. Remove parchment, replace with new aluminum foil, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serve with extra marinara, as some may be absorbed by the noodles.
Recipe Variations:
Manicotti with Meat: Add one pound cooked and crumbled ground beef or sausage and add it to the red sauce.
More Favorite Italian Recipes:
Classic Lasagna Penne Arrabbiata Chicken Parmesan Osso Buco Caprese Salad
I originally shared this recipe October 2018. Updated March 2022 and August 2024.
Recipe inspired by America’s Test Kitchen and Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. This post contains affiliate links.
