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Stuffed Manicotti Meat Sauce Perfection

Stuffed Manicotti Meat Sauce Perfection for Cozy Nights

This Stuffed Manicotti Meat Sauce Perfection recipe combines rich flavors of meat sauce and creamy cheeses for a comforting dinner.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Manicotti
  • 12 pieces Manicotti shells Choose sturdy shells
For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound Ground beef Substitute with ground turkey for a lighter version
  • 1 pound Italian sausage Swap with vegetarian sausage for meatless option
  • 1 medium Onion Red onion is a nice alternative
  • 3 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic is recommended
  • 2 cups Marinara sauce Use high-quality store-bought or homemade
For the Cheese Filling
  • 15 ounces Ricotta cheese Drain for 30 minutes
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese Shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Grated; nutritional yeast can substitute
  • 1 large Egg Use vegan egg substitutes if desired
  • 1 teaspoon Basil Fresh or dried works
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano Fresh or dried works
For Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • skillet
  • Baking Dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • piping bag

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook manicotti shells in salted boiling water for about 6-7 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, brown ground beef and Italian sausage with diced onion for about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  4. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, then stir in marinara sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, basil, and oregano in a bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper.
  6. Spread half of the meat sauce in a baking dish. Fill each manicotti shell with cheese mixture and arrange in the dish.
  7. Top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle mozzarella on top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
  9. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Drain ricotta for optimal filling consistency. Using a piping bag simplifies the stuffing process.

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