Indulge in a culinary journey with Grandma Nancy's Manicotti, a classic Italian dish that combines savory flavors and comforting textures. This exquisite pasta dish features large manicotti shells filled with a delectable filling of ricotta, spinach, and Parmesan cheese, then smothered in a rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Grandma Nancy's Manicotti is a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, offering a hearty and satisfying meal for any occasion.
This article presents two versions of this beloved dish: the traditional Grandma Nancy's Manicotti and a lightened-up version that caters to health-conscious individuals. Both recipes provide step-by-step instructions, ensuring a seamless cooking experience for home chefs of all skill levels.
The traditional Grandma Nancy's Manicotti recipe stays true to its classic roots, using full-fat ricotta cheese and a luscious tomato sauce made from scratch. This indulgent version is a celebration of authentic Italian flavors, perfect for special gatherings and family dinners.
For those seeking a healthier alternative, the lightened-up Grandma Nancy's Manicotti recipe offers a delightful twist. This version incorporates part-skim ricotta cheese and a lighter tomato sauce made with fresh vegetables. This healthier rendition is just as flavorful as the traditional one, making it a guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious individuals and those with dietary restrictions.
Whether you prefer the traditional or lightened-up version, Grandma Nancy's Manicotti is a culinary masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Embark on this culinary adventure and experience the magic of this timeless Italian dish.
GRANDMA NANCY'S MANICOTTI
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h40m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl combine the ricotta, 1 cup of the grated cheese, eggs, and pepper.
- Fill each crepe with approximately 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture centering it in a straight line down the middle. Top with the shredded mozzarella. Take one end of the crepe and fold over the cheese filling. Then take the other end and pulling slightly, fold over in a wrapping motion overlapping the stuffed portion of the crepe. Repeat until all 12 crepes are filled.
- Spread one cup of the sauce in the bottom of a large baking pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Place the filled manicotti in the pan, seam down, side-by-side. Do not overlap, and do not layer them. Spoon the remaining sauce over the manicotti. Be sure to cover all the pasta. Sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 30 minutes or until the sauce is hot and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let stand for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This will give the manicotti time to settle which will make for easy serving. The manicotti will fall apart if served immediately.
- In a pan heat the olive oil. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook for a few minutes on medium heat. Do not let garlic burn. Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, and pepper. Let tomato mixture cook for approximately 30 minutes.
CLASSIC MANICOTTI
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. First, make the marinara sauce. In a saucepan heat oil. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, pinch of sugar, salt and pepper and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Puree the mixture through the fine disk of a food mill and then return to the saucepan. Reduce for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make your filling. In a bowl mix together ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg yolk, minced basil, parsley, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. Fill your manicotti tubes with the filling mixture. When all the tubes are filled place them in a baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce over the tubes and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. (Can be refrigerated for several hours or overnight at this point or may be frozen.) When ready to cook, place in the oven and bake, covered for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5 to 10 minutes longer, or until bubbling and heated through. Serve each portion with a sprig of fresh basil.
OLD-WORLD MANICOTTI RECIPE - (4.5/5)
Provided by cwyorkiex3
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cool water. Let pasta dry on paper towels. For filling, in medium bowl, stir together 3 cups mozzarella with the ricotta and fresh basil. Using a teaspoon, carefully stuff pasta shells with prepared cheese mixture. Spoon 2 cups spaghetti sauce into prepared baking dish. Arrange stuffed pasta over sauce. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce over top of pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake manicotti for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan; bake for 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately.
GRANDMA'S KITCHEN OLD-WORLD MANICOTTI
I came across this recipe on a Grandma's Kitchen recipe card and found it to be the BEST manicotti I have ever experienced. It is a favorite of all our friends and family and most definitely a staple meal in our home. If you've always been the type to shy away because of the terror of stuffing the shells, well I've thrown in a little secret of mine to walk you through the process.
Provided by Peachie Keene
Categories Manicotti
Time 1h
Yield 12 stuffed shells, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook pasta according to package directions(be sure to not over cook, they need to be a little chewey for easier stuffing). Carefully remove each shell and rinse with cool water. Let pasta dry on paper towels. Don't get too upset if a couple break, its bound to happen :).
- For the filling, in a large ziplock bag (seriously!), put in 3 cups mozzarella with the ricotta and fresh basil. Seal the bag tightly. Smush the bag around with your hands until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed (it's a nice stress reliever too!).
- Snip off the bottom corner of the ziplock bag (the point is to have the hole a tad smaller than the manicotti opening, where you can just barely slip it into the shell). Use this method to squeeze the cheese mixture into each manicotti.
- See, that wasn't so bad! ;).
- Spoon 2 cups spaghetti sauce into prepared baking dish. Arrange stuffed pasta over sauce. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce over top of pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
- Bake manicotti for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan; bake for 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- To make the manicotti shells easier to fill, cook them al dente, rather than fully.
- Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off to fill the manicotti shells.
- To prevent the manicotti from drying out in the oven, cover them with foil during the first 20 minutes of baking.
- If you don't have any ricotta cheese, you can substitute cottage cheese or mashed potatoes.
- Feel free to add other ingredients to the filling, such as cooked spinach, chopped mushrooms, or crumbled sausage.
Conclusion:
Grandma Nancy's manicotti is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for a special occasion. Its delicious combination of creamy filling, tender pasta shells, and flavorful sauce makes it a surefire hit with everyone who tries it. The best part is that it can be made ahead of time, making it a great option for busy weeknights. So next time you're looking for a special dish to serve, give this manicotti recipe a try.
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