Introduction to Making Manicotti

Series Summary

Do you ever wish you could recreate that fine dining experience in the privacy of your own home? While the enchanting décor and first class service of the world’s finest restaurants is an experience all its own, there are times when, quite frankly, we just don’t feel like leaving the house and dealing with all of those people. But just because you want to eat dinner in your pajamas doesn’t mean you necessarily want to sit in front of the TV with a spoon and a trough of boxed macaroni and cheese. Well, maybe we do actually. But here's a healthier alternative gourmet pasta recipe that’s flavorful and very satisfying.

In this free video series, our expert will show you how to make manicotti. This Italian food classic consists of large tube shaped pasta stuffed with a mixture of chesses and spices. It is a simply dish that anyone can make, and is sure to please even the most sophisticated of palates. Get step-by-step instructions for preparing the ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella cheese filling, and cooking the pasta. You will also get tips on how to stuff manicotti and how to bake manicotti with tomato sauce and parmesan. If you are looking for a gourmet dinner at a bargain price, let our expert show you this simple but delicious pasta recipe.

Video Transcript

"Hi. This is Rich Buccola here in New York City and today on behalf of Expert Village, I'm going to show you today how to make Manicotti. Okay. Manicotti. One of the same dishes very similar to lasagna and stuffed shells. What makes Manicotti nice though is you're using a little bit less ricotta cheese or ricotta cheese. We always call it regut, ricotta cheese, you know. So a little bit less ricotta cheese so it makes it a little less heavier, you know? Lasagna and stuffed shells tend to be a little heavier. A little lighter, a little less airy, a little airier. Less air, little airy and it's just a nice, nice dish complimenting a beautiful spaghetti sauce which I make here on Expert Village. So I want everyone to first of all if you're going to make this dish Manicotti, I want you to make a nice big pot of spaghetti sauce. Which I have right here on Expert Village. Find it. It's going to be much better than any kind of jar sauce you get. I promise you. Just follow the instructions. Definitely use a pork bone. Go to your butcher. If not then you can even use spare ribs. That's the key though to a great sauce, is just having the marrow of that pork flavorizing your sauce. Today so we're going to make Manicotti. It's a real simple ingredients and when I come back, I'm going to show you everything from ingredients to utensils to everything to make this simple but delicious meal. Come back. We're making Manicotti here on Expert Village."