Pasta Almanac

The difference

Cannelloni vs Manicotti

Nearly the same thing, a large tube to fill and bake, and the names get used for each other in the United States. The split: cannelloni is traditionally a flat sheet of pasta rolled around the filling, while manicotti is a ready made ridged tube you pipe full.

Gouache illustration of Cannelloni

Cannelloni

Family
Sheets and broad cuts
Size
100 mm long
Surface
Smooth
Cook
4 to 8 min

Wants: Besciamella, Tomato sauce, Ragu Bolognese

Gouache illustration of Manicotti

Manicotti

Family
Tubes
Size
95 to 110 mm long
Surface
Ridged
Cook
6 to 8 min

Wants: Tomato sauce, Besciamella, Ragu

Compare more shapes, or look up Cannelloni and Manicotti in full.