Best Authentic Manicotti Cannelloni Recipes

MANICOTTI (THREE CHEESE, NO-BOIL PASTA RECIPE)

Steps:

• Place the steamed escarole, endive or spinach into a large bowl, then add the ricotta.
• Add the eggs, grated Parmesan or Pecorino, salt, and pepper and mix well.
• Next, toss in the shredded mozzarella. Mix well.
• You'll already have the tomato sauce from my linked recipe, but here's the trick to not boiling the pasta, adding water to the sauce. I say to use boiling water because I don't want you using hot water from the tap; it needs to be very hot. Put half of the sauce in a bowl (if it's about 1 cup of sauce, add just under 1 cup of very hot/almost boiling water. You can make this watery sauce as you need it so you don't end up watering down too much of the sauce.
• Spread a generous amount of the watery sauce in the bottom of the pan, then start filling the tubes with the filling. As I said above, you can choose to use a piping bag without a tip, but it's really easy to use a small spoon, too. Use both ends to fill the manicotti shells as it's quicker than trying to push the filling all the way to the opposite end.
• Once full, place in the pan. Be sure to place them generously spaced apart as they will grow and spread.
• Once all the manicotti are filled (you may need another small tray if all of the manicotti don't fit (don't attempt to squeeze them in). I put 4 in a separate little dish. Make sure to cover all of the manicotti.
• Add enough watery sauce so that it comes about halfway up the pasta shells. We need this much liquid since the pasta hasn't been boiled (and absorbed the water when cooking). Let the shells rest for about half an hour before baking.
• Cover and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, until the pasta is ready. You can remove the cover for the last 5 minutes if you like.
• Before serving, add some heated pasta sauce (the original batch, not watered down) to the manicotti. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese and add a sprig of parsley for color, and enjoy!

AUTHENTIC MANICOTTI & CANNELLONI

Steps:

• Marinara:
• Heat oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft, but not brown.
• Add tomatoes, paste, basil, sugar, salt and pepper. Reduce heat low, simmer partially covered, 40 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Press through sieve. Season to taste.
• Crepes:
• Mix eggs and milk and beat well.
• Add flour a little at a time with a whisk.
• Butter 6" fry pan. Place a little batter in pan and swirl until bottom is covered. Cook on one side until dry. Butter pan as needed.
• Cheese filling (Manicotti):
• Mix together all ingredients.
• Meat filling (Cannelloni or Ravioli):
• Melt butter in skillet, cook onions 7-8 minutes.
• Add meat, cook until liquid cooks away. Take off the heat. Place in bowl.
• Stir in spinach and cheese. Add eggs (beaten) to mixture. Season.
• Besciamella (white sauce):
• Melt butter over moderate heat. Remove from heat and whisk in flour.
• Pour in cream and milk all at once. Whisk until flour is partially dissolved. Return to heat and cook until sauce comes to boil and is smooth.
• Simmer, low, 2-3 minutes, season.
• Assembly:
• Heat the oven to 375ËšF.
• Fill crepes with filling.
• Place film of tomato sauce into baking dishes. Lay manicotti side by side on sauce.
• Pour besciamella over and spoon rest of tomato sauce on top.
• Scatter on cheese and dot with butter.
• Bake 20 - 25 minutes, until cheese is melted and sauce bubbling.