🍤 Creamy Shrimp-Stuffed Manicotti
Creamy Shrimp-Stuffed Manicotti is an elegant baked pasta dish filled with tender shrimp, creamy ricotta, herbs, and cheese, then topped with rich marinara and bubbling mozzarella. It’s a restaurant-style comfort meal that feels fancy but is actually simple to prepare at home. Perfect for dinner parties, family gatherings, or a special weekend meal.
📝 Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 manicotti pasta tubes
- 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
For the Shrimp Filling
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Sauce & Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Cook the manicotti
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook manicotti tubes for 6–7 minutes until just al dente. Drain carefully and lay them on a tray to prevent sticking. Handle gently to avoid tearing.
Step 2: Cook the shrimp
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add chopped shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 3: Make the filling
In a bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Fold in the cooked shrimp until evenly mixed.
Step 4: Assemble the dish
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Carefully stuff each manicotti tube with the shrimp mixture using a spoon or piping bag.
Arrange stuffed manicotti in the dish and pour remaining marinara sauce over the top.
Step 5: Bake
Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10–12 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
Step 6: Serve
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Lemon wedges for brightness
💡 Tips
- Don’t overcook shrimp to keep it tender
- Use a piping bag for easy stuffing
- Add spinach for extra flavor and color
- Let it rest so filling sets properly
⏱️ Summary
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 4–6
This Creamy Shrimp-Stuffed Manicotti is rich, cheesy, and full of delicate seafood flavor wrapped in comforting baked pasta perfection. 🍤🧀✨