Million Dollar Manicotti Recipe
This decadent and flavorful manicotti recipe is sure to impress. The creamy filling, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese create a truly delicious dish.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
ADVERTISEMENT
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ricotta Cheese | 1 container (15 ounces) |
| Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) | 2 cups |
| Parmesan Cheese (shredded) | 1 cup |
| Cottage Cheese | 1 cup (optional) |
| Egg | 1 large |
| Parsley (chopped) | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Onion Powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt and Pepper | To taste |
For the Sauce:
ADVERTISEMENT
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef or Italian Sausage | 1 pound |
| Marinara Sauce | 1 jar (24 ounces) |
| Onion (finely chopped) | 1 small |
| Garlic (minced) | 3 cloves |
| Olive Oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Italian Seasoning | 1 teaspoon |
| Crushed Red Pepper Flakes | 1 teaspoon (optional) |
| Salt and Pepper | To taste |
For the Manicotti:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Manicotti Pasta | 1 package (8 ounces) |
| Fresh Basil or Parsley | For garnish |
Optional Add-Ins:
- Spinach or Kale (chopped) – 1 cup
Instructions:
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta: Cook manicotti pasta according to package directions, but undercook by 1-2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water.
- Make sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and brown. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Make filling: In a large bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan cheese (if using), egg, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff manicotti: Stuff each manicotti shell with cheese filling using a small spoon or piping bag.
- Assemble dish: Pour half of the meat sauce over stuffed manicotti shells. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Pour the rest of the meat sauce over the cheese.
- Bake: Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly, and sauce is slightly golden around the edges.
- Serve: Remove manicotti from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
Enjoy this delicious Million Dollar Manicotti!
