Honeycomb Pasta Bake

Are you looking for a creative and delicious way to enjoy pasta? Look no further! This Honeycomb Pasta Bake is a unique twist on traditional pasta dishes that is sure to impress your family and friends. With a blend of creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory marinara sauce, this dish is as delightful to look at as it is to eat. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients

• Pasta and Cheese:
  • 16 oz manicotti pasta
  • 8 oz Mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 15 oz Ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Flavor Enhancers:
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ shallot, minced (about 1 tbsp)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Sauce and Garnish:
  • 2 cups marinara sauce or your favorite pasta sauce
  • Fresh basil leaves as garnish

Directions

Preparation Steps:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Shred the Cheese:
   • Shred the mozzarella cheese and set aside ½ cup for topping.
3. Cook the Pasta:
   • Bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil.
   • Add the manicotti pasta and boil for 5 minutes.
   • Drain and rinse under cold water.
   • Slice each noodle in half, ensuring even lengths for a level pasta “pie.”
4. Prepare the Cheese Filling:
   • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, parmesan, ½ cup of mozzarella, minced garlic, minced shallot, egg, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes.
   • Mix thoroughly until well combined.
5. Transfer the Filling:
   • Transfer the cheese filling to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner cut off.
6. Prepare the Pan:
   • Lightly spray a 9” springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.
   • Coat the bottom of the pan with a little bit of the pasta sauce.

Assembly Steps:

7. Stack the Pasta:
   • Stack the cooked pasta vertically to fill the entire pan, creating a “honeycomb” pattern.
8. Fill the Pasta:
   • Pipe the cheese filling into each piece of pasta until it is filled to the top.
9. Add the Sauce and Cheese:
   • Pour the marinara sauce over the pasta and top with the remaining shredded mozzarella.

Baking Steps:

10. Bake the Pasta:
    • Bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 minutes.
11. Finish and Garnish:
    • Remove the side of the springform pan and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Nutritional Information

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Calories: 520 kcal per serving
• Servings: 8 servings

Conclusion

This Honeycomb Pasta Bake is not just a feast for the eyes but also a culinary delight that combines the best of Italian flavors in a unique presentation. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this dish is sure to become a favorite. Give it a try and enjoy the compliments that will surely come your way!

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Feel free to share your version of this recipe or any variations you come up with. Happy cooking!

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