cooking ahead, can you freeze Manicottis before final baking?

Answer 1

Yes!!! I froze a batch last Tues when I put it together for Valentines day!

I have a fabulous recipe if you need one. A Gormet recipe but more that worth the effort. Actually here its is just for you knowledge. When you get time try it you wont be disapointed.

Oh tip get no sugar spaghetti sauce authentic italian foon contains none. I lived in Italy for 3 years I know. Any little gorment place or nice supermarket for have it.

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (12 ounce) package manicotti shells
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 eggs, beaten
3 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
2 cups half-and-half
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions until translucent. Saute garlic for 1 minute and stir in ground beef. Cook until well browned and crumbled. Season with salt and set aside to cool.
Cook spinach according to package directions. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add manicotti shells and parboil for half of the time recommended on the package. Drain and cover with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent the shells from cracking.
To the ground beef mixture add the cooked spinach and ricotta cheese. When the mixture is cool, add the beaten eggs. Spread 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Gently drain the manicotti shells and carefully stuff each one with the meat and cheese mixture; place shells in prepared dish. Lightly cover the dish with plastic wrap or a clean, damp towel to prevent shells from cracking.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Prepare the white sauce by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and chicken bouillon. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until it begins to bubble. Stir in half and half and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Pour or ladle the sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
Stir the basil into the remaining spaghetti sauce. Carefully pour or ladle spaghetti sauce over the white sauce, trying to layer the sauces without mixing.
Cover and bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven, uncover and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes more.

Answer 2

Supposedly, yes. But I never boil my manicotti or lasagna before assembling. Lasagna gets softened in a pitcher of hot tap water, just so it gets flexible to fit in the corners of the pan. But not manicotti. MUCH easier to fill stiff. Just be srue to bake 3/4 of the way thru w/ foil on, then remove foil, top w/ cheese, and finish baking.

Answer 3

Absolutely. I make manicotti and lasagna in giant batches and keep them in the freezer... I'd say they're good for six months, but they never last that long. Reheat at 350 for about an hour covered, uncovering for the last ten minutes.

Answer 4

I always freeze it.
I prepare it and cook it
and then freeze it. The
flavor is so much better.
It's good for 4 months.
I prepare at least six
dinners at once.
Then you always have
something to offer a
drop in guest or two.
Make a salad and drop
dinner in the microwave.
It's done as fast as the
garlic bread in the oven.

Answer 5

I think for best results you should freeze after baking and then it will be real easy to use when your ready to cook it, just stick it in the oven.

Answer 6

depends how long you are keeping them, if just a day or two I before baking I think they would be fine just staying in the fridge. If more than a day or two they would be perfectly fine in the freezer. Just let them that naturally in the fridge, don't put them in the microwave or anything to thaw them.

Answer 7

yes, but I would under cook them a bit, to allow for moisture.

Answer 8

Yes. You can purchase them in that state