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Manicotti

Manicotti is a type of large, tubular pasta used in Italian-American cuisine, usually stuffed and baked with sauce.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Manicotti is a type of large, tubular pasta used in Italian-American cuisine, usually stuffed and baked with sauce. The term can refer both to the pasta itself and to the finished dish, which is commonly filled with ricotta cheese, meat, or other savoury ingredients. English dictionaries describe manicotti as large, tubular pasta shells or noodles.

Definition

Manicotti is a stuffed pasta dish made with large tubular pasta shells. Dictionary definitions describe it as pasta that is filled, baked, and usually served with tomato sauce.

Etymology and naming

The name is linked to Italian words meaning sleeve or little sleeve, reflecting the pasta’s tube shape. Several sources note that similar preparations in Italy are called cannelloni.

Preparation and ingredients

Manicotti is commonly filled with ricotta cheese, sometimes mixed with herbs, meat, or vegetables. It is then topped with sauce and baked until hot and set.

Italian-American cuisine

Manicotti is widely described as part of Italian-American cooking rather than a standard Italian pasta term. Some sources treat it as an American adaptation or naming variant of cannelloni.

Key facts

  • Manicotti refers to both the pasta tubes and the baked dish made with them.
  • It is typically stuffed with ricotta cheese, meat, or other savoury fillings.
  • The dish is usually covered with tomato sauce before baking.
  • English dictionaries describe manicotti as large, tubular pasta shells or noodles.
  • Sources commonly connect the name to the Italian word for a sleeve.
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Canadian context

Manicotti is familiar in Canadian Italian and Italian-American style home cooking, restaurant menus, and grocery-store pasta products.

Frequently asked questions

What is manicotti?
Manicotti is a large tubular pasta, or a baked dish made from that pasta, usually stuffed and served with sauce.
What is manicotti usually filled with?
It is most often filled with ricotta cheese, but meat, spinach, and other savoury mixtures are also common.
Is manicotti Italian or Italian-American?
It is most often described as Italian-American cuisine, with related forms in Italy commonly identified as cannelloni.
How is manicotti served?
Manicotti is typically baked with tomato sauce and served hot.
What does the name manicotti mean?
The name is connected to the Italian word for sleeve, referring to the pasta’s tube-like shape.

References

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manicotti
    Supports: Definition as tubular pasta shells stuffed with ricotta or meat, and as a stuffed pasta dish with tomato sauce.
  2. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/manicotti
    Supports: Definition of manicotti as large tubular noodles stuffed and baked in tomato sauce.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manicotti
    Supports: Description as Italian-American stuffed pasta, etymology from Italian sleeve, and relation to cannelloni.
  4. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/manicotti
    Supports: Definition as large tubes of pasta filled with cheese or meat and covered with tomato sauce.
  5. CooksInfo — https://www.cooksinfo.com/manicotti
    Supports: Description of manicotti as stuffed, sauced, and baked pasta.
  6. San Giorgio — https://www.sangiorgio.com/product/manicotti/
    Supports: Derivation from 'manica' and preparation as stuffed, sauced, oven-baked pasta.
  7. The Pasta Project — https://www.the-pasta-project.com/cannelloni-or-manicotti/
    Supports: Notes on differing views and the common Italy/US naming distinction between cannelloni and manicotti.