Three Cheese Manicotti

This recipe calls for purchased marinara sauce, but you can use about 1 3/4 cups homemade marinara or even leftover spaghetti sauce (should you conveniently happen to have some on hand). Whatever sauce is used, this pasta dish is easy enough to prepare for a weeknight supper, yet impressive enough to serve company.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 (12-ounce) package manicotti pasta shells (or 14 manicotti shells)
2 (15-ounce) cartons ricotta cheese
4 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated - divided use
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - divided use
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley leaves
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce

Cooking Directions:

1. Grease a 10 x 15-inch sided baking pan, such as a jelly roll pan; set aside.
2. Cook manicotti pasta shells according to package directions; drain and set aside.
3. In large bowl combine the ricotta cheese, 3 cups mozzarella cheese, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, beaten eggs, parsley, salt and pepper, mixing well. Divide mixture into 14 balls*.
4. Carefully split a manicotti shell open. Shape a cheese ball to fit the shell; close shell and lay seam-side down into prepared baking pan (do not crowd the manicotti, allow some space between); repeat procedure with remaining shells and cheese balls.
5. Pour marinara sauce evenly over shells, spreading as needed to completely cover the shells with sauce so they won't dry out while baking. Top with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly and cheese filling is set.

Makes 14 manicotti.

*An easy way to divide the ricotta cheese mixture evenly is to form a "log" using plastic wrap, then divide the log into 14 sections.

Variation: 3 Cheese & Spinach Manicotti - For filling, combine 1 (15-ounce) carton, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and and 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach that has been thawed and squeezed dry; proceed as instructed above for filling manicotti; topping with the marinara sauce, then 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/14 of recipe): 362.3 calories; 39% calories from fat; 16.0g total fat; 82.5mg cholesterol; 847.3mg sodium; 370.9mg potassium; 28.8g carbohydrates; 0.8g fiber; 5.5g sugar; 28.0g net carbs; 25.0g protein.

Recipe and photograph by Hope Cantil; Copyright © 1999; property of CooksRecipes.com. See Terms of Use.