24 Baked Manicotti Recipes to Satisfy Your Comfort Food Cravings

There’s nothing quite like a warm, cheesy plate of baked manicotti to satisfy those comfort food cravings. Since I started exploring different recipes, manicotti has become one of my go-to dishes for those cozy, comforting meals that bring smiles to everyone around the table.

So, I decided to compile my absolute favorite recipes into one place, hence "24 Baked Manicotti Recipes to Satisfy Your Comfort Food Cravings" was born. From classic cheese-filled manicotti to more adventurous takes featuring seafood and vegetables, there’s something here for everyone. So, let’s preheat the oven and get ready to enjoy some truly mouthwatering manicotti dishes!

1. Classic Cheese Manicotti

Cheesy, warm, and traditional - this is a timeless favorite!

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Cook the manicotti shells according to the package instructions.
3. Mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, and salt together.
4. Stuff the cooked shells with the cheese mixture.
5. Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
6. Lay the stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
7. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
8. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
9. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

2. Spinach and Ricotta Manicotti

A healthier twist with nutrient-rich spinach.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Cook manicotti shells as per package instructions and preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sauté garlic and spinach until wilted, then mix with ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and Parmesan.
3. Stuff the mixture into cooked manicotti shells.
4. Spread marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
6. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
8. Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan.

3. Meat Lover’s Manicotti

Packed with hearty beef and rich flavors.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, cook beef, onion, and garlic until beef is brown.
3. Combine ricotta, some of the cooked beef mixture, and mozzarella.
4. Fill manicotti shells with meat and cheese mixture.
5. Spread marinara sauce on the bottom of your baking dish.
6. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce and beef mixture.
7. Bake for 35 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
8. Enjoy this hearty dish with a side salad.

4. Chicken Alfredo Manicotti

Creme de la creme of comfort food with a creamy Alfredo sauce.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells as per package directions.
2. Mix chicken, 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce, and Parmesan together.
3. Fill cooked manicotti shells with chicken mixture.
4. Spread 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining Alfredo sauce.
6. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

5. Four-Cheese Manicotti

Max out the cheese factor with this decadent delight.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F and prepare manicotti shells according to instructions.
2. Mix ricotta, mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses together.
3. Stuff mixture into cooked manicotti shells.
4. Spread marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve with a side of garlic bread.

6. Vegetarian Manicotti

Perfect for meatless Mondays with a variety of veggies.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (zucchini, carrots, bell peppers), diced
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Cook manicotti shells according to package instructions and preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sauté mixed vegetables until tender.
3. Mix sautéed vegetables with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
4. Stuff manicotti shells with vegetable and cheese mixture.
5. Spread marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
6. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
7. Bake for 35 minutes until bubbly.
8. Pair with a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

7. Seafood Manicotti

A delightful sea-inspired twist for seafood lovers.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
• 1/2 cup crab meat, flaked
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce
• Fresh dill for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells as per package directions.
2. Mix ricotta, shrimp, crab meat, and a bit of Alfredo sauce.
3. Fill cooked manicotti shells with seafood mixture.
4. Spread some Alfredo sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining Alfredo sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with fresh dill before serving.

8. Broccoli and Cheese Manicotti

A child-friendly option packed with broccoli and cheese.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells according to package instructions.
2. Steam broccoli until tender.
3. Mix cooked broccoli with ricotta and cheddar cheeses.
4. Stuff the mixture into manicotti shells.
5. Spread marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
6. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with more sauce.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
8. Serve with a sprinkle of extra cheddar cheese on top.

9. Pesto Manicotti

For a fresh basil kick, try this pesto-flavored variation.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup pesto sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells per package instructions.
2. Mix ricotta, pesto, and mozzarella together.
3. Fill manicotti shells with pesto cheese mixture.
4. Spread marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

10. Pumpkin and Sage Manicotti

Autumn flavors meet the Italian classic in this seasonal dish.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells as per package instructions.
2. Mix ricotta, pumpkin puree, and sage together.
3. Stuff cooked manicotti shells with pumpkin mixture.
4. Spread some Alfredo sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with additional fresh sage if desired.

11. Sausage and Peppers Manicotti

A spiced-up version with Italian sausage and bell peppers.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 lb Italian sausage, crumbled
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Cook manicotti shells and preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Sauté sausage, bell pepper, and onion until sausage is browned.
3. Mix the sausage mixture with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
4. Fill manicotti shells with the sausage mixture.
5. Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish.
6. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
7. Bake for 35 minutes until bubbly.
8. Serve with crusty Italian bread.

12. Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Manicotti

A Mediterranean twist with tangy feta and sun-dried tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells per package instructions.
2. Mix ricotta, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes together.
3. Stuff manicotti shells with the mixture.
4. Spread marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with more sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Sprinkle with extra feta cheese before serving.

13. Mushroom and Ricotta Manicotti

Savory mushrooms paired perfectly with creamy ricotta.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 small onion, diced
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Cook manicotti shells and preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sauté mushrooms, onion, and garlic until soft.
3. Mix the mushroom mixture with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
4. Stuff manicotti shells with the mushroom mixture.
5. Spread marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
6. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with more sauce.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

14. Buffalo Chicken Manicotti

Perfect for fans of spicy buffalo chicken in a comforting pasta.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells as per instructions.
2. Mix chicken with buffalo sauce and ricotta cheese.
3. Stuff the mixture into manicotti shells.
4. Spread marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining buffalo mixture and mozzarella.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Serve with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

15. Bacon and Spinach Manicotti

Crispy bacon and spinach make a luscious combo everyone will love.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells according to package instructions.
2. Sauté garlic and spinach until wilted.
3. Mix cooked bacon, sautéed spinach, ricotta, and mozzarella cheeses.
4. Fill manicotti shells with bacon and spinach mixture.
5. Spread marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
6. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
8. Garnish with extra bacon crumbles before serving.

16. Mediterranean Manicotti

Load up with olives, feta, and artichokes for a Mediterranean treat.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced
• 1/2 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook manicotti shells as per package instructions and preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix ricotta, feta, olives, and artichoke hearts together.
3. Stuff the mixture into manicotti shells.
4. Spread a bit of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with more sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with fresh herbs like oregano and parsley.

17. Butternut Squash Manicotti

Sweet and savory butternut squash, perfect for fall comfort.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup butternut squash puree
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• Fresh sage, chopped
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells as per package instructions.
2. Mix butternut squash puree, ricotta cheese, and chopped sage.
3. Stuff the mixture into manicotti shells.
4. Spread Alfredo sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with more sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with additional sage before serving.

18. Eggplant Manicotti

A hearty vegetarian option with roasted eggplant.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 medium eggplant, diced
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells as per package instructions.
2. Sauté eggplant and garlic until soft.
3. Mix cooked eggplant with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
4. Stuff manicotti shells with the eggplant mixture.
5. Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish.
6. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
8. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

19. Lemon and Ricotta Manicotti

Bright and zesty, thanks to a touch of lemon.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells per package instructions.
2. Mix ricotta cheese with lemon zest and juice.
3. Fill manicotti shells with the lemon-ricotta mixture.
4. Spread marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with more sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley if desired.

20. Zucchini and Cheese Manicotti

Healthy zucchinis packed into cheesy manicotti shells.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 2 medium zucchinis, shredded
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells according to package instructions.
2. Sauté zucchini and garlic until soft.
3. Mix zucchini with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
4. Stuff manicotti shells with zucchini mixture.
5. Spread marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
6. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining sauce.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
8. Serve with a side of garlic bread.

21. Mexican Manicotti

An intriguing mix of Italian pasta and Mexican flavors!

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup cooked taco-seasoned ground beef
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 24 oz enchilada sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells per package instructions.
2. Mix ricotta cheese with cooked taco meat and cheddar cheese.
3. Stuff manicotti shells with the taco mixture.
4. Spread enchilada sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining enchilada sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with cilantro and serve with a side of sour cream.

22. Ham and Cheese Manicotti

A wonderful way to use up leftover ham and add comfort.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells as per package instructions.
2. Mix diced ham, ricotta cheese, and shredded Swiss cheese.
3. Stuff the mixture into manicotti shells.
4. Spread Alfredo sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with more sauce.
6. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

23. BBQ Chicken Manicotti

An all-American twist with BBQ chicken flavor.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells according to package instructions.
2. Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce and ricotta cheese.
3. Stuff the mixture into manicotti shells.
4. Spread a little BBQ sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with more BBQ sauce.
6. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

24. Goat Cheese and Herb Manicotti

Tangy goat cheese pairs perfectly with fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and cook manicotti shells as per package instructions.
2. Mix goat cheese, ricotta, chives, and parsley together.
3. Stuff the cheese mixture into manicotti shells.
4. Spread marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
5. Place stuffed shells in the dish and cover with remaining marinara sauce.
6. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.
8. Garnish with additional chopped herbs before serving.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! Twenty-four different ways to enjoy one of the most comforting Italian dishes out there. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic or feeling adventurous, these baked manicotti recipes have got you covered. I hope you find as much joy in making and eating these as I do. Happy cooking!