Manicotti - Are there any tricks to stuffing cooked shells so that they don't split?

Question

Cooking dinner and I now remember why it has been so long since I made manicotti....the shells split as I stuff them. Did I cook the noodles too long? I'm hoping someone has a tip.

Answer 1

use a pastry filler/ what they put icing in to decorate a cake.

Answer 2

You probably cooked the noodles to long. They need to be aldente (spelled that wrong but whatever). They will be hard enough to stuff the shells and they will finish cooking when you bake the manicotti. Also, use a small spoon (like an infant spoon) to stuff them with.

Answer 3

Cook manicotti noodles as directed on package BUT for 1/2 as long.
This prevents the problems, works every time for me. Hope it works for you as well.

Answer 4

A way to stuff the mannicotti is to carefully spoon the filling into the shell or use a pastry bag to squeeze the filling in. Good luck!!!! I don't think the noodle being cooked too long should affect it

Answer 5

Try placing your "stuffing" into a ziploc baggie, cut off the tip of one side and use the baggie like a pastry bag to fill the noodles.

Answer 6

I stuff them by hand (keeping my hands moist at all times). Keep your pasta wet when stuffing them and have your cheese filling a bit warmer (not straight out of the fridge). I'm no expert, but this always seems to do the trick for me.

Answer 7

Treat them as you would a newborn baby or a the supple breast of an 18 year old girl. (You are just being too rough, and possibly over cooked)

Answer 8

Pastry bag

Answer 9

don't boil them 'til they're flimsy...cook 'til el dante (or slightly firmer), cool, stuff them, and finish the recipe in the oven.