Bushra Griffith
Cheese manicotti is a comforting and crowd-pleasing dish that can be made ahead of time and popped in the oven when you have company coming or want a cosy family dinner. The ultimate indulgent meal, it is made up of pasta tubes filled with a mixture of cheeses and sometimes spinach, and covered in a tomato sauce. But what to serve with this rich, creamy pasta dish? A simple garden salad is a great way to balance out the heaviness of the manicotti, while garlic bread is another classic side that complements the cheese and tomato flavours of the main dish. If you're looking for something a little more unusual, Korean corn dogs, cauliflower pizza bowls, and grilled shrimp skewers all offer an interesting contrast to the manicotti, while still providing a satisfying and well-rounded meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salads | Italian salad, garden salad, caprese salad |
| Veggie sides | Zucchini fritters, eggplant, spinach stalks, Brussels sprouts |
| Breads | Breadsticks, sourdough dinner rolls, garlic bread |
| Fusion dishes | Korean corn dogs, cauliflower pizza bowl, potato rosti |
| Meat dishes | Lemon and herb roasted chicken, grilled shrimp skewers, Italian sausage skewers, beef manicotti |
| Appetizers | Antipasto platter, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed peppers |
| Soups | Minestrone soup |
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What You'll Learn
Salads
Italian Chopped Salad
This salad features a combination of fresh lettuce, tomatoes, pepperoncini, olives, red onions, salami, and provolone cheese. The key to this salad is its zesty Italian vinaigrette that contrasts the richness of the manicotti. You can also add other ingredients like leafy greens, rocket, fennel, radish, and pickled onions for extra colour, crunch and flavour.
Green Salad
A simple green salad with mixed greens and a vinaigrette dressing is a great option to pair with manicotti. You can make a basic vinaigrette by whisking together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper, and pouring it over your salad.
Caesar Salad
The bold flavours of a Caesar salad pair well with manicotti. The salad typically includes romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, anchovies, and egg yolks. You can also garnish the salad with nuts like almonds or pistachios.
Hearty Salad
For a meatless hearty salad option, you can try a mix of green peas, toasted pine nuts, and spinach tossed with a fresh pesto dressing. Serve this in a large bowl to showcase the beauty and texture of this salad.
Chicken Salad
For a light and healthy salad, you can serve a salad with Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, salami, mozzarella cheese, and a vinaigrette dressing. You can also add grilled chicken to this salad by marinating chicken breast or thighs in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper, and then threading it onto skewers and grilling.
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Breads
When serving cheese manicotti, it is common to include a side of bread. Here are some bread options that you can serve with cheese manicotti:
Garlic Bread
A popular choice to serve with cheese manicotti is garlic bread. The garlic flavour complements the cheese and tomato sauce in the manicotti, adding a savoury kick. It is best served crispy and can be sliced into breadsticks if desired.
Salad and Bread Combination
If you want to incorporate a side salad with your bread, consider serving your cheese manicotti with a simple green salad and vinaigrette dressing. This can be accompanied by garlic bread or breadsticks to create a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
When choosing bread to serve with cheese manicotti, it is best to opt for something that will complement the flavours of the dish without overwhelming it. Crispy, crunchy textures are a good contrast to the soft, cheesy manicotti, and garlic or Italian seasonings can enhance the overall savoury experience.
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Antipasti
When selecting cheeses for your antipasti platter, consider a combination of hard and soft cheeses. Cheeses such as pecorino Romano, Parmesan, or Asiago would be ideal for the former, while ricotta, mascarpone, or goat cheese could be served as soft cheeses. These cheeses will provide a range of flavours and textures that will complement each other and enhance the overall taste experience.
For cured meats, look for options like salami, prosciutto, or capocollo. These meats will add a savoury, salty element to your antipasti platter. If you want to include some marinated vegetables, consider options like artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers. These vegetables will provide a nice contrast in flavour and add a pop of colour to your platter.
Olives are also a classic addition to any antipasti platter. Look for high-quality, fresh olives, and consider offering a variety of types, such as Kalamata, Castelvetrano, or Cerignola olives. Finally, you can round out your antipasti platter with some crusty bread or breadsticks and a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for dipping.
By offering a variety of flavours, textures, and colours, your antipasti platter will be a delightful prelude to the main course of cheese manicotti.
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Soups
When it comes to serving cheese manicotti, soup can be a great complementary option. Here are some soup ideas to consider:
Minestrone Soup
A bowl of minestrone soup is a classic choice to pair with manicotti. This hearty soup is packed with vegetables and flavourful broth, providing a comforting and warming starter. The tangy and savoury notes of the soup create a beautiful contrast to the rich, cheesy manicotti, resulting in a well-balanced meal.
Pasta E Fagioli Soup
Pasta E Fagioli, or pasta and beans, is a perfect soup for cold winter days. It is a filling and comforting option that can be enjoyed as a starter or even a main dish alongside the manicotti. The combination of pasta and beans provides a hearty texture and a satisfying bite.
Creamy Vegetable Soups
Creamy vegetable soups, such as asparagus cream soup or spinach cream soup, can be an excellent choice to serve with manicotti. These soups offer a smooth and indulgent texture, balancing the richness of the manicotti. The subtle sweetness of the vegetables can complement the cheese in the manicotti, creating a harmonious flavour profile.
Roasted Red Pepper Soup
A roasted red pepper soup can be a unique and colourful addition to your meal. The slight char from the roasted peppers adds a depth of flavour to the soup, providing a subtle smokiness that pairs well with the manicotti. The soup can be served as a starter or a side, offering a vibrant and tasty complement to the main dish.
Chicken Soup
A simple yet comforting option, chicken soup can be an ideal starter to warm up your guests before serving the main course of manicotti. It provides a familiar and nostalgic flavour profile that can be easily enjoyed by all. You can add various ingredients to your chicken soup, such as vegetables or herbs, to enhance its flavour and make it your own.
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Meat and seafood
When preparing a meat-filled cheese manicotti, it is essential to cook the meat thoroughly before combining it with the cheese. This involves browning the meat in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat, along with ingredients like onion, garlic, and seasonings. Once the meat is cooked, it should be set aside to cool before being mixed with the cheese.
Additionally, the manicotti pasta shells themselves can be filled with meat. This involves preparing a meat sauce, such as a savory Italian sausage meat sauce, and spreading it over the stuffed manicotti. The meat sauce adds a hearty and flavorful component to the dish.
For those who enjoy seafood, there are also options to incorporate it into a cheese manicotti meal. While less commonly mentioned, shrimp can be added to the manicotti filling or served as a side dish.
Overall, the versatility of cheese manicotti allows for a variety of meat and seafood options to be incorporated, catering to different preferences and tastes.
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Frequently asked questions
Manicotti is an Italian dish consisting of pasta tubes filled with cheese and other ingredients.
Some side dishes that go well with cheese manicotti include salads, zucchini fritters, garlic bread, and roasted vegetables.
Yes, you can pair cheese manicotti with protein-rich dishes like lemon and herb-roasted chicken, grilled shrimp skewers, or Italian sausage skewers.
For a unique twist, you can try Korean corn dogs, cauliflower pizza bowls, or potato rosti as a side dish with your cheese manicotti.
