What To Do With Leftover Manicotti Filling?

what to do with leftover manicotti filling.

If you’ve ever made manicotti, you know that the filling can be a little bit labor-intensive.

But what do you do with all of that leftover manicotti filling?

Here are a few ideas to help you use it up.

Freeze the leftover manicotti filling for later use

To freeze your leftover manicotti filling, you need to first let it cool completely.

Then, you can transfer the filling into an airtight freezer container and pop it into the freezer.

It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months, so be sure you know what you’re going to use it for before putting it away.

Use leftover manicotti filling as part of a casserole

Leftover manicotti filling is great to use in baked dishes, like casseroles.

For instance, if you have 3-4 cups of leftover filling, add some cheese and garlic to it and toss with cooked pasta.

Place the mixture into a baking dish that has been coated with olive oil.

Top with more cheese, then bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes.

Make a simple pasta dish with the leftover filling

Another idea for what to do with leftover manicotti filling is to use it as part of a simple pasta dish.

Just cook some pasta according to the directions on the box, then drain.

Toss in your leftovers with some butter, garlic, olive oil, and cheese.

You could also add in bits of cooked ground beef or sausage for extra flavor.

Use the leftover filling as a topping for pizza

Topped with some cheese and tomato sauce, you could easily use your leftover manicotti filling as a topping for homemade pizza.

In this case, you might want to double the recipe so that you have enough to go around.

Use the leftover filling as a dip for vegetables or chips

If you have some leftovers, why not use them as a dip?  Throw the manicotti filling in a small casserole dish, top with more cheese, and brush with garlic butter.

Put it under your oven broiler to melt the cheese then serve it hot from the oven with vegetables or your favorite chips.

Add the leftover filling to scrambled eggs or an omelet

If you’re really looking for something simple to use your leftover filling with, just add it to scrambled eggs or an omelet.

Just cook the beaten eggs as you normally would, then mix in your leftovers just before removing them from the heat.

Make a manicotti souffle with the leftover filling

If you’re looking for something different, try making a manicotti souffle.

For this, you’ll need 1-2 cups of leftover filling, 1 beaten egg, and about ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Mix the egg into the manicotti filling then spoon it into a greased baking dish.

Top with cheese, then bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Turn the leftover filling into a quesadilla

Place some of the leftover fillings in a tortilla, add a few spoonfuls of salsa, and top with cheese.

Wrap the tortilla up, place it on a baking sheet, and bake for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until the cheese has melted inside.

Then just cut it into wedges and serve.

Make manicotti alfredo with the leftover filling

Here’s one last idea: make a simple manicotti alfredo.

Just cook some pasta, then toss it with your leftover filling and ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese.

Top with sauce and more cheese, then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Add the leftover filling to an enchilada or calzone recipe

If you want to take a break from Italian food, try using this leftover filling for other kinds of dishes.

For instance, if you have some enchilada sauce on hand, scoop a bit of your manicotti filling into a tortilla and roll it up.

Then brush the outside with oil and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until crispy.

manicotti-pasta-shells

Make manicotti stuffed shells with the leftover filling

Recipes for filled shells are another great way to use up your manicotti filling.

Just mix it with some cooked jumbo pasta shells and a bit of sauce, then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated throughout.

Use the leftover filling to make manicotti bake

If you want to get really creative, try mixing up your own version of manicotti bake.

Just mix in cooked jumbo shells with sauce, top with cheese and breadcrumbs, then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes or until it’s all heated through.

What is manicotti?

Manicotti is a pasta dish typically consisting of tube-shaped pasta shells filled with a creamy cheese mixture.

What can I use as a filling for manicotti?

what to do with leftover manicotti filling

Most recipes call for a cheese filling, but you could also use ground beef, sausage, or vegetables.

How do I make the perfect cheese filling for manicotti?

There are many ways to make a cheese filling for manicotti, but a basic recipe would call for ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.

Can I make manicotti ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely make manicotti ahead of time.

In fact, many people prefer to make it ahead of time because the manicotti pasta shells become more tender after sitting in the sauce for a while.

How do I keep my leftover manicotti warm?

After you take your leftovers out of the oven, cover them with foil to keep them hot until they’re ready to serve.

You can also reheat any leftover manicotti in the microwave.

How do I store my leftover manicotti?

The best way to store your leftovers is by transferring them into Tupperware containers and placing them in the fridge.

Then, just reheat them later when you’re ready to eat.

What should I serve with manicotti?

You can serve your manicotti alongside any favorite family recipe.

However, many people like to serve it with garlic bread or salad.

How do I cook manicotti pasta shells?

Just cook the manicotti according to package directions, then drain and set them aside until you’re ready to use them.

How do I stuff manicotti pasta shells?

To stuff the manicotti, just spoon a bit of filling into each shell and place it back in a baking dish.

Then top with sauce and more cheese.

What is the best way to reheat leftover manicotti?

If you need to reheat your leftovers, later on, you can do so either in the oven or in the microwave.

Just add a bit of sauce and heat until it’s hot, then serve.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of different ways to use up your leftover manicotti filling.

So don’t throw it away next time you cook with it.

There are lots of delicious possibilities.

Further reading:

Manicotti Recipe | Allrecipes

Beef and Cheese Manicotti Recipe

Tamara Pierce

Tamara Pierce is a food writer at Elapasony, passionate about exploring diverse cuisines and sharing recipes and food experiences. From trendy restaurants to local hotspots, she's always on the lookout for new and exciting flavors.

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