Description
Honeycomb pasta combines delicate layers of pasta with rich, creamy sauce in a mesmerizing culinary design. Italian comfort cuisine reaches new heights with this stunning dish that promises complex flavors and elegant presentation for passionate cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) manicotti pasta
- 8 oz (226 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 egg
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ shallot, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375°F, positioning the rack in the center for optimal heat distribution.
- Cheese Preparation: Grate mozzarella, keeping some aside for the final topping, ensuring even texture and melting potential.
- Pasta Cooking: Boil salted water and cook pasta for 5 minutes until just shy of al dente, then immediately rinse with cold water to pause cooking process.
- Noodle Configuration: Slice each pasta noodle in half, creating uniform vertical tubes for structured assembly.
- Cheese Mixture: Blend ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, minced garlic, diced shallot, egg, herbs, and seasonings into a smooth, cohesive filling using a whisk.
- Pan Preparation: Lightly spray a 9″ springform pan with non-stick coating, then spread a thin layer of pasta sauce across the bottom for foundational flavor.
- Pasta Assembly: Vertically position pasta tubes tightly to create a honeycomb-like pattern, completely filling the pan’s surface.
- Filling and Sauce: Transfer cheese mixture into a piping bag and fill each pasta tube, then lavishly cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle reserved mozzarella on top.
- Baking Process: Bake for 20 minutes until the top turns golden and the sauce begins to bubble enthusiastically.
- Finishing Touch: Remove springform pan sides and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant, aromatic presentation.
Notes
- Pasta Precision: Cook noodles exactly 5 minutes to maintain perfect al dente texture, preventing mushy or hard pasta.
- Filling Technique: Use a piping bag for smooth, even cheese distribution inside each pasta tube, ensuring consistent flavor in every bite.
- Pan Preparation: Lightly spray springform pan and spread thin sauce layer to prevent sticking and create a delicious base foundation.
- Cooling Strategy: Immediately rinse pasta with cool water after boiling to stop cooking process and maintain ideal pasta structure for architectural assembly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 467
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg