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Stuffed Manicotti Meat Sauce

A comforting family dish featuring manicotti pasta stuffed with a creamy cheese filling and layered with a rich meat sauce.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage for added flavor) Use high-quality meat for the best flavor.
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned for convenience) Drained well to prevent the sauce from being watery.
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • as needed Olive oil for cooking
For the Filling
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • as needed Fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
For Assembly
  • 12 manicotti shells (uncooked)
  • 1 cup Extra mozzarella cheese for topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease if needed.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
  5. While the sauce is simmering, prepare the filling. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
  6. Spread about a cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  7. Stuff each manicotti shell with the cheese mixture and place them in the baking dish side by side.
  8. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the stuffed manicotti and sprinkle the additional mozzarella on top.
  9. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  10. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

This dish freezes well! Cover with foil and freeze before baking; bake from frozen, adding extra time. For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with spinach or mushrooms.