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Comforting Beef Manicotti with Rich Meat Sauce

A hearty baked beef manicotti recipe filled with creamy cheese and topped with rich meat sauce and melted mozzarella for a comforting family dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 610
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 manicotti pasta shells
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the manicotti shells according to package instructions until al dente.
  3. Drain carefully and set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  5. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  6. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
  8. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  9. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  10. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
  11. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and parsley.
  12. Fill each cooked manicotti shell with the cheese mixture.
  13. Spread a layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a greased baking dish.
  14. Arrange the filled manicotti shells over the sauce.
  15. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the manicotti.
  16. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
  17. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  18. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  19. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze assembled manicotti before baking for up to 2 months. Reheat covered in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Cottage cheese may replace ricotta cheese. Add spinach or mushrooms to the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.