Spicy Three Cheese Chipotle Manicotti Bake
Indulge in this Spicy Three Cheese Chipotle Manicotti Bake, a vibrant and hearty dish that takes classic Italian comfort food and infuses it with a fiery kick! Perfect for those cozy nights or when you want to impress guests, this vegetarian recipe combines creamy ricotta, earthy mushrooms, and a smoky chipotle sauce. The method of using uncooked manicotti allows the flavors to meld beautifully as they cook, creating a mouthwatering experience. Just be warned — it’s not for the faint of heart! A generous layer of bubbling mozzarella and parmesan adds the finishing touch for a dish that's as visually appealing as it is delicious.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1/2 large (chopped)
button mushrooms
4-5 (chopped)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
manicotti
8-10 (uncooked)
fresh ricotta cheese
250 g (none)
dried basil
1 teaspoon (none)
chipotle chiles in adobo
1 (7 ounce) can (2 chiles chopped, rest blended with sauce)
pasta sauce
2 1/2 cups (your preferred brand)
water
1 1/2 cups (none)
grated parmesan cheese
1 cup (none)
fresh mozzarella cheese
125 g (sliced thinly)
salt and pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (or 220°C if using a conventional oven).
2
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and mushrooms, and sauté until they become soft and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Transfer the sautéed mixture to a mixing bowl. Incorporate the ricotta cheese and dried basil, mixing until combined.
4
Open the can of chipotle chiles in adobo and remove 2 chiles. Finely chop these and add them to the cheese mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5
In a separate bowl, mix the remaining chipotles from the can with the rest of the adobo sauce and your preferred pasta sauce. Blend this mixture until smooth using a hand blender for a uniform consistency.
6
Stir in the water until the sauce reaches a pourable consistency. Pour about 1/3 of this sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish or similar.
7
Stuff each uncooked manicotti shell with the ricotta filling, placing them into the baking dish as you go.
8
Once all the manicotti are stuffed, pour the remaining sauce over the filled shells, ensuring they are mostly covered.
9
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10
After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
11
Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top and layer the sliced mozzarella carefully on top of the pasta.
12
Switch to grill mode and grill the dish for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
13
Allow the bake to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to let the flavors settle.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Spicy Three Cheese Chipotle Manicotti Bake?
It is a vegetarian Italian-inspired dish featuring manicotti shells stuffed with ricotta and mushrooms, topped with a smoky chipotle-infused sauce and melted cheese.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is entirely vegetarian, using cheese and mushrooms instead of meat.
How spicy is this manicotti bake?
The recipe is quite fiery as it uses an entire 7-ounce can of chipotle chiles in adobo, making it unsuitable for those who prefer mild dishes.
Do I need to boil the manicotti shells before stuffing them?
No, the recipe specifically uses uncooked manicotti shells which soften and cook while baking in the sauce.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 200°C, or 220°C if you are using a conventional oven.
What vegetables are included in the filling?
The filling includes one-half of a large chopped onion and four to five chopped button mushrooms.
How are the chipotle chiles divided in this recipe?
Two chipotle chiles are finely chopped for the ricotta filling, while the rest of the can is blended into the pasta sauce.
What types of cheese are used in this dish?
The dish features three cheeses: fresh ricotta for the filling, and grated parmesan and fresh mozzarella for the topping.
How much ricotta cheese is required?
You will need 250 grams of fresh ricotta cheese.
What herbs are used to flavor the cheese mixture?
The filling is seasoned with one teaspoon of dried basil along with salt and pepper.
Why is water added to the pasta sauce?
One and a half cups of water are added to ensure the sauce has a pourable consistency and provides enough liquid to cook the raw pasta shells.
How much pasta sauce should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of your preferred brand of pasta sauce.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 9x13 inch baking dish or a similar sized oven-proof container is ideal.
How should the sauce be layered initially?
Pour about 1/3 of the prepared chipotle pasta sauce into the bottom of the dish before adding the stuffed manicotti.
How long does the dish bake while covered?
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
What is the total baking time before adding the cheese topping?
The dish bakes for a total of 45 minutes: 30 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered.
How is the final cheese layer prepared?
Sprinkle one cup of grated parmesan over the pasta and then layer 125 grams of thinly sliced fresh mozzarella on top.
What is the final step of the cooking process?
Switch the oven to grill mode and grill the dish for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
How long should the manicotti rest before serving?
Allow the bake to rest for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors settle and the sauce thicken slightly.
How many manicotti shells are needed?
The recipe uses 8 to 10 uncooked manicotti shells.
How should the onions and mushrooms be cooked?
Sauté them in two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until they are soft and golden brown.
What tool is best for mixing the sauce?
A hand blender is recommended to blend the chipotles, adobo sauce, and pasta sauce into a smooth consistency.
What is the preparation for the fresh mozzarella?
The 125 grams of fresh mozzarella should be sliced thinly before being layered onto the dish.
Does the sauce need to cover the pasta completely?
Yes, ensure the remaining sauce is poured over the stuffed shells so they are mostly covered to facilitate even cooking.
Can I use any type of pasta sauce?
Yes, you can use 2 1/2 cups of your preferred brand of pasta sauce.
What are the primary flavor notes of this dish?
The dish is characterized by creamy ricotta, earthy mushrooms, and a smoky, spicy chipotle kick.
How many chipotle chiles are in a standard can for this recipe?
The recipe uses a standard 7-ounce can of chipotle chiles in adobo.
Is the onion used for the sauce or the filling?
The chopped onion is sautéed with mushrooms and incorporated into the ricotta filling.
Should the manicotti be stuffed before or after placing in the dish?
Stuff each uncooked shell with the filling and then place them into the prepared baking dish.
Can I adjust the salt and pepper?
Yes, season the ricotta and vegetable mixture with salt and pepper to your personal taste.