Ohhh yes — Million Dollar Manicotti 💰🍝 — rich, cheesy, saucy, and over-the-top comfort food. This is the kind of baked pasta that shows up at family gatherings and disappears fast.
Million Dollar Manicotti
Ingredients (serves 6–8)
Pasta
- 1 box manicotti shells (12–14 shells)
Cheese Filling
- 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 jar (24–28 oz) marinara sauce
- Optional: ½ lb ground beef or Italian sausage, cooked and drained
Topping
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley or basil (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook pasta
- Boil manicotti shells just until al dente.
- Drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking.
2️⃣ Make the filling
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
3️⃣ Assemble
- Preheat oven to 375°F / 190°C.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Fill each manicotti shell (spoon or piping bag works great).
- Arrange shells in dish.
- Top with remaining marinara (and meat, if using).
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
4️⃣ Bake
- Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake 10–15 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
5️⃣ Rest & serve
- Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with herbs if desired.
Why it’s “Million Dollar”
- Cream cheese + ricotta = ultra-rich, silky filling
- Bakes up bubbly and golden
- Feels fancy but feeds a crowd
Pro Tips
- Use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped for mess-free filling.
- Add spinach or sautéed mushrooms to the filling for a little balance.
- Make ahead: assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
If you want, I can give you a Million Dollar Manicotti with Alfredo–Marinara swirl, or a spinach & chicken version that’s insane.