Easy Manicotti with Meat
A delicious and simple recipe for stuffed manicotti with a savory meat filling, creamy cheese, and marinara sauce. Perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Large skillet for cooking the meat
- Baking dish (9x13-inch)
- Spoon for stuffing the manicotti
- Aluminum foil for baking
Ingredients
- 12 manicotti shells
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce divided
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Manicotti Shells: Boil manicotti shells in salted water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Meat Filling: Brown the ground beef in a skillet with chopped onions and garlic. Season with salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Stir in 1 cup marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Cheese Filling: Mix ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and beaten egg in a bowl.
- Stuff the Manicotti: Carefully stuff each cooled manicotti shell with the meat mixture and cheese mixture.
- Assemble the Dish: Place the stuffed shells in a greased baking dish. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over them and top with extra mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to melt and brown the cheese.
- Serve: Let the manicotti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Add chopped vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the meat mixture for extra flavor and nutrition.
- To make it creamier, b
lend marinara sauce with Alfredo sauce.