Short Answer 
Manicotti is pasta usually filled with a mixture of cheeses, pork, and spinach, topped with marinara sauce for a rich flavor. In contrast, cannelloni is filled with mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese, served with a hearty meat sauce, highlighting a key difference in flavor profiles and textures between the two dishes.
Step 1: Understanding Manicotti
Manicotti is a type of pasta that’s typically filled with a delicious mixture that includes cheeses, pork, and spinach. This combination provides a rich flavor and a creamy texture. It is essential to prepare the filling well before stuffing the pasta shells. Once filled, it is traditionally topped with marinara sauce before baking, enhancing its taste with a tangy tomato flavor.
Step 2: Exploring Cannelloni
Cannelloni, on the other hand, features a different filling, usually a blend of mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and Parmesan cheese. This combination gives cannelloni a unique creaminess and depth of flavor that contrasts with the filling used in manicotti. After being stuffed, cannelloni is typically served with a meat sauce, which adds a hearty element to the dish.
Step 3: Comparing Sauces
The choice of sauce is a defining characteristic between the two dishes. While manicotti is generally paired with marinara sauce, which adds a fresh and tangy profile, cannelloni is matched with a meat sauce that complements the flavor of the cheeses inside. This difference in sauces not only changes the taste but also the overall experience of each dish.