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Baked stuffed manicotti filled with cheese and topped with meat sauce

Stuffed Manicotti

Tender pasta shells filled with creamy ricotta cheese and hearty ground beef, smothered in a rich tomato sauce—perfect for family dinners and celebrations.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the meat sauce
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the filling
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For assembly
  • 12 pieces manicotti shells
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage with chopped onion and minced garlic until browned. Drain excess fat.
  3. Add crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Assembly
  1. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  2. Carefully fill each manicotti shell with the cheese mixture using a spoon or pastry bag.
  3. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Place stuffed manicotti shells on top, then cover with remaining sauce.
  4. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top and add additional Parmesan, if desired.
Baking
  1. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Notes

For added flavor, consider using fresh basil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes in the sauce. This dish can be customized by using chicken or turkey for a lighter option.