Classic Cheese Manicotti

Classic Cheese Manicotti is a beloved Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring large, tube-shaped pasta shells stuffed with a rich, creamy cheese filling, typically a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The stuffed tubes are then arranged in a baking dish, covered in a vibrant tomato-based marinara sauce, and topped with more cheese before being baked until bubbly and golden. It's a hearty, comforting main course that hails from Italian-American cuisine, particularly popular in the Northeastern United States.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in both fat and protein due to its generous cheese filling, with a moderate amount of carbohydrates from the pasta. It provides a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B12, and a single serving typically contains around 450-550 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	520 kcal
Protein	28 g
Carbs	42 g
Fat	26 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	6 g
Sodium	890 mg
Calcium	450 mg
Phosphorus	320 mg
Vitamin B12	1.8 mcg
Vitamin A	250 IU
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	380 mg
Zinc	3.2 mg
Selenium	18 mcg

Per 2 stuffed manicotti shells (approx. 280 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

The name 'manicotti' comes from the Italian word for 'sleeves,' referring to the large, tube-like shape of the pasta. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense meal that offers substantial protein and calcium but is also high in saturated fat and sodium, making it a classic example of indulgent comfort food.