13 Cheesy Manicotti Recipes for Italian Nights

Nothing beats the comforting embrace of cheesy manicotti on a cozy Italian night. I still remember Sundays at my Nonna’s house in Sicily, where the air filled with the bubbling aroma of her homemade manicotti straight from the oven—stuffed to the brim with ricotta and mozzarella, smothered in tangy marinara. Those family gatherings, with everyone gathered around the table laughing and twirling pasta on forks, shaped my love for Italian comfort food.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, tweaking classic recipes with bold cheese combos and seasonal twists. After a string of rainy evenings, I dove into creating these 13 cheesy manicotti variations, each one cheesier than the last. Whether you’re craving creamy indulgence or veggie-packed goodness, these recipes bring that authentic Italian soul right to your table—perfect for date nights or family feasts.

Classic Ricotta and Mozzarella Manicotti

This timeless recipe captures the essence of Italian home cooking with a simple, creamy filling. Ingredients (serves 4-6): 12 manicotti shells, 2 cups ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 egg, 2 cups marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and fresh basil. Steps: Boil manicotti until al dente, mix cheeses with egg and seasonings, stuff shells, layer in a baking dish with sauce, top with more cheese, and bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until bubbly. It’s beginner-friendly, packed with calcium-rich cheeses for bone health, and delivers pure nostalgia in every bite.

Spinach and Ricotta Manicotti

A veggie-packed upgrade to the classic, blending earthy spinach with velvety ricotta for a lighter yet indulgent dish. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 10 oz frozen spinach (thawed and drained), 2 cups ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1 egg, marinara sauce, nutmeg. Steps: Cook manicotti, combine spinach, cheeses, egg, and nutmeg; stuff, sauce, bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Loaded with iron from spinach and probiotics from ricotta, it’s a nutrient boost that tastes like heaven—ideal for meatless Mondays.

Four-Cheese Manicotti Extravaganza

Layered with ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and gorgonzola for an umami bomb that’s irresistibly gooey. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1/2 cup each of ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, gorgonzola, 1 egg, 2 cups marinara, Italian seasoning. Steps: Mix cheeses with egg and herbs, stuff boiled manicotti, cover with sauce and extra cheese, bake 375°F for 35 minutes. The diverse cheeses provide a protein punch and gut-friendly benefits from fermented varieties, making it a decadent yet nourishing crowd-pleaser.

Italian Sausage and Mozzarella Manicotti

Hearty sausage adds smoky flavor to a cheese-forward filling, perfect for carnivores. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 lb Italian sausage (cooked and crumbled), 2 cups ricotta, 1.5 cups mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan, marinara. Steps: Brown sausage, mix with cheeses, stuff shells, layer with sauce, bake 375°F for 40 minutes. High in protein from sausage and cheeses, it satisfies hunger while evoking trattoria vibes—great for feeding a hungry family.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Manicotti

Tangy goat cheese pairs with sweet sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean twist. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 cup goat cheese, 1 cup ricotta, 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1 cup mozzarella, marinara or pesto sauce. Steps: Blend cheeses and tomatoes, fill cooked manicotti, top with sauce and cheese, bake 375°F for 30 minutes. Rich in antioxidants from tomatoes and healthy fats from goat cheese, it’s a flavorful way to support heart health.

Meatball and Ricotta Manicotti

Mini meatballs nestled in creamy ricotta make this a fun, kid-approved Italian staple. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 12 mini meatballs (pre-made or homemade), 2 cups ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, marinara. Steps: Stuff manicotti with ricotta and a meatball each, arrange in dish with sauce, cheese topping, bake 375°F 35 minutes. Balanced protein from meat and dairy promotes muscle repair—comfort food with benefits.

Artichoke and Parmesan Manicotti

Canned artichokes bring briny depth to a nutty Parmesan-ricotta base. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 can artichoke hearts (chopped), 2 cups ricotta, 1 cup grated Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, bechamel sauce. Steps: Mix fillings, stuff, layer sauces, bake 375°F 30 minutes. Fiber from artichokes aids digestion, paired with bone-boosting Parmesan for a sophisticated side-dish feel.

Pepperoni Pizza Manicotti

Pizza flavors in pasta form: pepperoni, cheese, and sauce for game-night fun. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 cup diced pepperoni, 2 cups mozzarella, 1 cup ricotta, pizza sauce. Steps: Combine ricotta and half mozzarella with pepperoni, stuff, top with sauce and cheese, bake 375°F 35 minutes. Fun and protein-rich, it’s a playful hit that sneaks in veggies if you add peppers.

Creamy Alfredo Cheese Manicotti

Swap marinara for Alfredo sauce and double down on cheeses for ultra-creamy results. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 2 cups ricotta, 1.5 cups mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 2 cups Alfredo sauce. Steps: Fill with cheese mix, pour Alfredo over, bake 375°F 30 minutes, broil for crisp top. Calcium overload from cheeses supports teeth and bones—decadent without the guilt.

Eggplant and Ricotta Manicotti

Roasted eggplant adds meaty texture to cheesy ricotta for a veggie lasagna vibe. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 1 large eggplant (roasted and mashed), 2 cups ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, marinara. Steps: Mix eggplant into cheese, stuff, sauce and bake 375°F 40 minutes. Eggplant’s fiber and cheeses’ probiotics team up for gut health.

Prosciutto and Fontina Manicotti

Gourmet prosciutto and nutty fontina elevate this to dinner-party status. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 4 oz prosciutto (chopped), 1.5 cups fontina, 1 cup ricotta, bechamel. Steps: Stuff with cheese-prosciutto mix, sauce, bake 375°F 35 minutes. Lean protein from prosciutto and rich flavors make it elegant and satisfying.

Balsamic Mushroom and Blue Cheese Manicotti

Earthy mushrooms with pungent blue cheese and balsamic glaze for bold flavor. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 2 cups sliced mushrooms (sautéed), 1 cup blue cheese, 1 cup ricotta, marinara, balsamic. Steps: Mix fillings, stuff, bake with sauce 375°F 30 minutes, drizzle balsamic post-bake. Mushrooms boost immunity; blue cheese adds unique probiotics.

Truffle Oil Infused Cheese Manicotti

Luxurious truffle oil amps up ricotta and Parmesan for a fine-dining finish. Ingredients: 12 manicotti, 2 cups ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 2 tsp truffle oil, cream sauce. Steps: Infuse cheese mix with truffle oil, stuff, bake with sauce 375°F 30 minutes. Antioxidant-rich truffles and cheeses make it indulgent yet beneficial.

These 13 cheesy manicotti recipes are your ticket to unforgettable Italian nights—easy to prep, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to impress. Grab your apron, invite loved ones over, and let the cheese flow; which one will you try first? Buon appetito!