Manicotti With Four Cheeses
Creamy four-cheese manicotti baked to perfection, featuring a savory mushroom and onion sauce. Ideal for cheese lovers and comforting Italian-inspired dinners.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 large onion, minced ⓘ
- 1 pound mushrooms, sliced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup flour ⓘ
- 4 cups milk ⓘ
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- salt and pepper ⓘ
- 12 manicotti shells ⓘ
- 1 pound Ricotta or cottage cheese ⓘ
- 4 ounces Mozzarella cheese, diced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese ⓘ
- 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
Instructions
- In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté onion and mushrooms for 5 minutes.
- Stir in flour.
- Gradually stir in milk.
- Cook over low heat until sauce bubbles and thickens.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Set aside the sauce.
- Cook manicotti shells according to package directions.
- Drain and cover with cold water to stop cooking.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding garlic or a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce. You can substitute the mushrooms with spinach for a different taste or use a mix of cheeses based on your preference. Ensure that the manicotti shells are al dente before filling them to avoid them becoming mushy during baking. For a lighter option, use low-fat versions of the cheeses.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the manicotti with a side of Italian Veggies for a complete meal. A fresh green salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette pairs beautifully with this dish, complementing the rich flavors. For an added touch, sprinkle fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, cover the dish with foil to prevent drying out, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick meal.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Manicotti With Four Cheeses contains roughly 2667 calories, with 75g protein, 353g carbohydrates, and 110g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (150% of the Daily Value), calcium (106% of the Daily Value), and iron (100% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2616mg per serving (114% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze manicotti after baking?
Yes, you can freeze manicotti after baking. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).