Go Back
+ servings
Stuffed Manicotti Meat Sauce Perfection

Stuffed Manicotti Meat Sauce Perfection for Cozy Nights

Experience Stuffed Manicotti Meat Sauce Perfection, a delightful dish combining tender pasta tubes and creamy cheese filling topped with a hearty meat sauce.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Manicotti
  • 12 pieces Manicotti Shells Substitute with other tubular pastas if manicotti isn’t available.
For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
  • 1 pound Italian Sausage Opt for chicken sausage or omit it for less heat.
  • 1 medium Onion Swap with shallots for a sweeter essence.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic is ideal, but powdered garlic can work in a pinch.
  • 32 ounces Marinara Sauce Store-bought is convenient, but nothing rivals homemade!
For the Cheese Filling
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese Cottage cheese can be a suitable alternative if blended.
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese Fontina or provolone are great options for a unique taste.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Replace with Pecorino Romano if desired.
  • 1 large Egg For vegans, consider a flaxseed mixture as an alternative.
Herbs & Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Basil Dried herbs work too but use sparingly since they are more concentrated.
  • 1 tablespoon Oregano Dried herbs work too but use sparingly since they are more concentrated.
  • to taste Salt Essential for flavoring; adjust to your taste preferences.
  • to taste Pepper Essential for flavoring; adjust to your taste preferences.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • baking dish
  • fine mesh strainer

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and carefully add your manicotti shells. Cook them for 6-7 minutes until they are al dente but not fully soft, then drain and lay them on a baking sheet to cool.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef and Italian sausage, stirring in diced onion. Cook for about 8 minutes, or until the meat is browned and the onion is translucent.
  4. Sprinkle in minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant, then pour in your marinara sauce. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, fresh basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
  6. Spread half of the meat sauce evenly in a baking dish. Carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the cheesy mixture, and arrange them seam-side down in the dish.
  7. Cover the stuffed manicotti with the remaining meat sauce and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top.
  8. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
  9. Once baked, allow your Stuffed Manicotti to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Drain ricotta to remove excess moisture for better filling texture. Taste your sauce for seasoning balance before assembly.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!