When you need a hearty meal that can feed the family without a lot of fuss, this Easy Baked Cheese Manicotti is one of those recipes worth keeping handy. Tender manicotti shells are filled with a creamy four-cheese mixture, covered with tomato sauce, and baked until hot and bubbly.
This is a great recipe for a busy weeknight, but it is also one I like to make when I know we will need an easy meal later. The manicotti can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen, making it especially handy when life gets busy.
Why We Love This Manicotti Recipe
There is something comforting about a baked pasta dish coming out of the oven with plenty of melted cheese and tomato sauce. This one is filling enough to serve as the main course, and it is easy to pair with a simple salad, steamed vegetables, or some crusty bread.
I also appreciate recipes that can be prepared ahead. Having a meal tucked away in the freezer can make a busy day so much easier. Instead of starting dinner from scratch, the work has already been done.
The cheese filling is simple, too. Ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan give the manicotti plenty of flavor without needing a long list of ingredients.
Easy Homestyle Four Cheese Manicotti Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces Manicotti Pasta uncooked, my box had 14 manicotti noodles
- 48 Ounces Tomato Sauce jarred pasta sauce
Cheese Filling
- 15 Ounces Ricotta Cheese 1 container
- 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
- 1 Cup Provolone Cheese Shredded
- ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese Shredded
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
How to Make Easy Baked Cheese Manicotti
- Start by cooking the manicotti shells in boiling water until they are just slightly undercooked. About 6 minutes. They will continue cooking in the oven, so there is no need to cook them completely at this stage. Drain the pasta and set it aside until you are ready to fill the shells.8 Ounces Manicotti Pasta
- While the pasta is cooking, mix the ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. This makes a thick, cheesy filling that is easy to spoon into the manicotti shells.15 Ounces Ricotta Cheese, 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese, 1 Cup Provolone Cheese, ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese, 2 Large Eggs, 1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley, ½ Teaspoon Salt, ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- Spread about a quarter of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a prepared 9 x 13-inch baking dish. This keeps the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Carefully fill each manicotti shell with the cheese mixture and arrange them in a single layer over the sauce.48 Ounces Tomato Sauce
- Pour the remaining sauce over the top, making sure the manicotti is well covered. Covering the pasta with sauce helps keep it from drying out while it bakes.
- Bake at 375°F for about 40 minutes, or until the manicotti is hot and bubbly.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Cook the manicotti just until slightly underdone so it doesn’t become too soft while baking.
- Don’t overfill the shells. You may have just enough filling for all the manicotti, a little leftover, or occasionally come up slightly short. How much filling each shell holds can vary, so I try not to pack them too full.
- Use a teaspoon to fill the manicotti. I spoon the filling into one side of the shell, then turn it around and fill the other side. It works well and saves me from having to fill a piping bag or plastic storage bag.
- Have a little extra cheese on hand. If I happen to run out of the ricotta filling with one shell left, I simply tuck some Parmesan and mozzarella inside that shell instead. The kids actually really like finding one of these cheese-filled shells in the pan, so I keep track of where I tucked it!
- Let the shells cool enough to handle. This makes filling them much easier.
- Cover the pasta completely with sauce. This helps keep the manicotti moist as it bakes.
- Make a double batch. If you have the freezer space, prepare one for dinner and freeze another for a busy day.
Nutrition
Make-Ahead Manicotti
This is one of those meals that works especially well when prepared ahead of time. Assemble the manicotti in the baking dish, cover it well, and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake.
If you are making it more than a day ahead, freezing is a great option.
Can You Freeze Manicotti?
Yes! Cheese manicotti freezes very well and makes a convenient freezer meal.
Assemble the manicotti as directed in a freezer-safe baking dish, but do not bake it. Cover it tightly and freeze for up to 4 months.
When you are ready to make it, you can thaw it in the refrigerator before baking. You can also bake it directly from frozen if your baking dish is designed to safely go from the freezer to the oven.
If baking from frozen, add approximately 40 minutes to the baking time. Since ovens and baking dishes can vary, check that the center is heated through and the pasta is tender before serving.
What to Serve with Four Cheese Manicotti
Four Cheese Manicotti is a filling main dish, so I like to keep the sides fairly simple. Something fresh or lightly seasoned balances the richness of the cheese and tomato sauce without making the meal feel too heavy.
A crisp green salad is an easy choice. Toss lettuce with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and a simple Italian dressing. You could also add shredded carrots, bell peppers, or whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand. A simple salad gives the meal a nice fresh contrast to the warm, cheesy pasta.
Roasted or steamed vegetables are another good option. Broccoli, green beans, zucchini, asparagus, or a mixture of roasted vegetables all work well. If you are feeding a larger family, a big pan of roasted vegetables is an easy way to round out the meal without adding much extra work.
Of course, garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is always welcome with manicotti. There is usually plenty of tomato sauce left on the plate, and a piece of warm bread is perfect for soaking it up. If you are serving a smaller meal, you could skip another starch and simply serve the manicotti with a vegetable and salad.
For a more substantial family dinner, I like the combination of manicotti, a green salad, roasted vegetables, and garlic bread. It gives everyone a little something different without requiring several complicated recipes.
What About Dessert?
Since this is a hearty Italian-inspired meal, dessert doesn’t need to be elaborate. Something light and fruit-based can be a nice way to finish dinner.
Fresh berries with whipped cream are an easy option, especially in the summer. You could also serve sliced strawberries, peaches, or a simple fruit salad when fresh fruit is available.
If you want something more indulgent, Italian-style cookies, brownies, cheesecake, or a simple lemon dessert pair nicely with the meal. A no-bake dessert is especially convenient if you are already spending time in the kitchen preparing the manicotti.
For a family dinner, even something as simple as vanilla ice cream topped with fresh berries or a little chocolate sauce makes an easy ending to the meal.
The nice thing about manicotti is that you can make the rest of the meal as simple or as special as you like. For a weeknight dinner, a salad and one vegetable are plenty. When we are feeding family or guests, adding bread and dessert turns it into a complete meal without making the main dish any more complicated.
A Simple Family Meal
Easy Baked Cheese Manicotti is the kind of meal that makes dinner feel special without requiring a lot of extra work. It is warm, cheesy, filling, and easy to prepare ahead of time.
Whether you are making it for a weeknight family dinner or putting a pan in the freezer for later, this is a practical recipe to have on hand.
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My family loved this!