Manicotti with Vodka Sauce

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Manicotti with Vodka Sauce—a hearty Italian-inspired dish that's both elegant and easy to make. Perfectly al dente manicotti shells are generously filled with a rich, creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with garlic, basil, and oregano for an extra depth of flavor. Smothered in a luscious vodka sauce and baked until bubbly and golden, this dish is a show-stopping centerpiece for any dinner table. Ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe is ready in just over an hour and serves six. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and pair with crusty bread or a crisp green salad for a truly satisfying meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 pieces manicotti shells
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups vodka sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the manicotti shells according to the package instructions, leaving them slightly undercooked (al dente). Drain and lay them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until smooth.

Step 4

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil and spread 1 cup of vodka sauce evenly across the bottom of the dish.

Step 5

Transfer the cheese mixture to a piping bag (or use a plastic bag with the corner cut off) and carefully fill each manicotti shell. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can fill them gently with a small spoon.

Step 6

Arrange the filled manicotti shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.

Step 7

Pour the remaining vodka sauce over the shells, ensuring all are evenly coated. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 0.5 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 8

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 9

Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.

Step 10

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2007.1 grams (2007.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4300

Total Fat 189.00g	242%
Saturated Fat 86.00g	430%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.30g
Cholesterol 739mg	246%
Sodium 7131mg	310%
Total Carbohydrate 454.20g	165%
Dietary Fiber 22.00g	79%
Total Sugars 40.10g
Protein 193.90g	388%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 4115mg	317%
Iron 17mg	92%
Potassium 2846mg	61%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.6%

Protein: 18.1%

Carbs: 42.3%