Baked Manicotti with Prosciutto
By America's Test KitchenPublished on August 22, 2007
Time
2 hours
Yield
Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes (in juice)2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)¼-½ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, optional½ teaspoon table salt 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basilCheese Filling and Pasta
3 cups part-skim ricotta cheese (see note above)4 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 cups)8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups)2 large eggs, lightly beaten½ teaspoon table salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 16 no-boil lasagna noodles (see note above)16 slices thinly sliced prosciuttoBefore You Begin
The test kitchen prefers part-skim ricotta for manicotti, but whole or fat-free ricotta can also be used. We also prefer Barilla no-boil noodles for their delicate texture resembling fresh pasta. Note that Pasta Defino and Ronzoni brands contain only 12 no-boil noodles per package; the recipe requires 16 noodles. The manicotti can be prepared through step 5, covered with a sheet of parchment paper, wrapped in aluminum foil, and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. (If frozen, thaw the manicotti in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.) To bake, remove the parchment, replace the aluminum foil, and increase baking time to 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Process 1 can tomatoes with their juice in food processor until coarsely chopped with 1/4-inch pieces visible, 3 or 4 pulses. Transfer tomatoes to medium bowl. Repeat with remaining can tomatoes.
- Heat oil, garlic, and pepper flakes (if using) in large saucepan over medium heat until fragrant but not brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and salt and simmer until thickened slightly, about 15 minutes. Stir in basil; adjust seasoning with salt.
- Combine ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan, mozzarella, eggs, salt, pepper, and herbs in medium bowl; set aside.
- Pour 1 inch boiling water in 13 by 9-inch broiler-safe baking dish, then add noodles 1 at a time. Let noodles soak until pliable, about 5 minutes, separating noodles with tip of sharp knife to prevent sticking. Remove noodles from water and place in single layer on clean kitchen towels; discard water in baking dish and dry baking dish.
- Spread bottom of baking dish evenly with 1 1/2 cups sauce. Arrange 1 slice of prosciutto on each noodle. Using soupspoon, spread 1/4 cup cheese mixture evenly onto bottom 3/4 of each noodle on top of prosciutto (with short side facing you), leaving top 1/4 of noodle uncovered. Roll into tube shape and arrange in baking dish seam side down. Top evenly with remaining sauce, making certain that pasta is completely covered.
- Cover manicotti with aluminum foil. Bake until bubbling, about 40 minutes, then remove foil. Remove manicotti and adjust oven rack to highest position (about 6 inches from heating element) and heat broiler. Sprinkle manicotti evenly with remaining 1 cup Parmesan. Broil until cheese is spotty brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Cool 15 minutes, then serve.
for the sauce
for the cheese filling
to assemble
Time
2 hoursYield
Serves 6 to 8Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
Cheese Filling and Pasta
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
Cheese Filling and Pasta
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
Cheese Filling and Pasta
Test Kitchen Techniques
Why This Recipe Works
For a baked manicotti recipe with all of the flavor and none of the fuss, we discarded the slippery tube-shaped pasta and decided to spread the filling onto flat wrappers instead, which we then rolled up. For the wrappers, we found that no-boil lasagna noodles were ideal. After a quick soak in boiling water, these noodles could be spread with filling and rolled up in a few easy minutes, making for a no-hassle manicotti recipe.
Before You Begin
The test kitchen prefers part-skim ricotta for manicotti, but whole or fat-free ricotta can also be used. We also prefer Barilla no-boil noodles for their delicate texture resembling fresh pasta. Note that Pasta Defino and Ronzoni brands contain only 12 no-boil noodles per package; the recipe requires 16 noodles. The manicotti can be prepared through step 5, covered with a sheet of parchment paper, wrapped in aluminum foil, and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. (If frozen, thaw the manicotti in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.) To bake, remove the parchment, replace the aluminum foil, and increase baking time to 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Process 1 can tomatoes with their juice in food processor until coarsely chopped with 1/4-inch pieces visible, 3 or 4 pulses. Transfer tomatoes to medium bowl. Repeat with remaining can tomatoes.
- Heat oil, garlic, and pepper flakes (if using) in large saucepan over medium heat until fragrant but not brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and salt and simmer until thickened slightly, about 15 minutes. Stir in basil; adjust seasoning with salt.
- Combine ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan, mozzarella, eggs, salt, pepper, and herbs in medium bowl; set aside.
- Pour 1 inch boiling water in 13 by 9-inch broiler-safe baking dish, then add noodles 1 at a time. Let noodles soak until pliable, about 5 minutes, separating noodles with tip of sharp knife to prevent sticking. Remove noodles from water and place in single layer on clean kitchen towels; discard water in baking dish and dry baking dish.
- Spread bottom of baking dish evenly with 1 1/2 cups sauce. Arrange 1 slice of prosciutto on each noodle. Using soupspoon, spread 1/4 cup cheese mixture evenly onto bottom 3/4 of each noodle on top of prosciutto (with short side facing you), leaving top 1/4 of noodle uncovered. Roll into tube shape and arrange in baking dish seam side down. Top evenly with remaining sauce, making certain that pasta is completely covered.
- Cover manicotti with aluminum foil. Bake until bubbling, about 40 minutes, then remove foil. Remove manicotti and adjust oven rack to highest position (about 6 inches from heating element) and heat broiler. Sprinkle manicotti evenly with remaining 1 cup Parmesan. Broil until cheese is spotty brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Cool 15 minutes, then serve.
for the sauce
for the cheese filling
to assemble
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