Baked Manicotti
Cuisine: American
Categories: Main Dishes, Beef & Pasta
Recipe Source: Terri Cleveland
Baked Manicotti is a beloved Italian-American dish that embodies comfort and indulgence. Tender pasta tubes are filled with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, nestled in a bed of rich tomato sauce, and baked to perfection with a generous layer of melted mozzarella cheese. This dish is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to serve a hearty and satisfying meal.
Difficulty: EASY
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Serving Size: 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 (8 oz.) pkg. manicotti noodles
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 sm. onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 c. cottage cheese
- 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 egg whites lightly beaten
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 (32 oz.) jar spaghetti sauce divided
Directions:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown beef with onions and garlic on medium heat. Drain off excess grease and cool.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour just enough spaghetti sauce in dish to cover the bottom.
- Combine beef, cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg whites and oregano. Mix well. Stuff shells with mixture. Place stuffed noodles in the dish.
- Cover stuffed noodles with remaining spaghetti sauce and top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 50 minutes. Enjoy with a side salad and garlic bread.