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Stuffed Manicotti With Meat

Stuffed Manicotti With Meat Recipe

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 540
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz manicotti shells
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 15 oz whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • Chopped fresh parsley or basil for serving

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the beef until browned, about 6 minutes. Add onion and garlic and cook 3 minutes more. Drain fat and let cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooled beef mixture, ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, spinach (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
  3. Spoon 1 cup marinara into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Fill each uncooked manicotti shell with the meat mixture, packing it in firmly, and lay them in a single layer in the dish.
  4. Pour the remaining 2 cups marinara over the shells, nudging sauce between them. Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup mozzarella on top.
  5. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let rest 5 minutes, then top with parsley or basil and serve hot.

Notes

Let the manicotti rest for 5 minutes before you scoop the first serving. That short pause lets the filling set up a little, so the dish holds its shape on the plate instead of sliding apart.