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Stuffed Manicotti with Meat Sauce

Irresistible Stuffed Manicotti with Rich Meat Sauce Delight

A delicious recipe for Stuffed Manicotti with Meat Sauce that combines tender pasta, savory beef, and creamy ricotta, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 pieces Manicotti Pasta Shells cook al dente
For the Meat Filling
  • 1 pound Ground Beef can substitute with ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 pound Italian Sausage sweet or hot varieties
  • 1 medium Onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper
For the Cheese Mixture
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese cottage cheese can work as lighter substitute
  • 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese reserve extra for topping
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 large Egg
For the Marinara Sauce
  • 2 cups Marinara Sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • Piping bag or small spoon

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
  2. In a large pot, cook the manicotti shells according to the package instructions until al dente, typically about 7-8 minutes.
  3. In a large skillet, sauté the ground beef and Italian sausage together over medium heat until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
  4. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the meat mixture and cook until the onion is translucent.
  5. Stir in the dried oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and egg. Mix well.
  7. Fold in the cooled meat mixture until fully incorporated.
  8. Using a piping bag or spoon, carefully fill each manicotti shell with the cheese-meat mixture.
  9. Arrange filled shells in the greased baking dish and pour marinara sauce evenly over the top.
  10. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  11. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best results, make sure shells are cooked al dente. Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate if needed.

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