Microwave Mexican Manicotti
Put a bold twist on classic comfort food with this Microwave Mexican Manicotti, a quick and flavorful dinner perfect for busy weeknights. This inventive dish swaps traditional marinara for zesty taco-seasoned ground beef and tangy salsa, giving traditional manicotti a vibrant Tex-Mex makeover. Stuffed with seasoned meat and cooked entirely in the microwave, the uncooked pasta shells are transformed into tender, cheese-covered perfection in under 30 minutes. Topped with a melty blend of Mexican cheeses, fresh green onions, and optional cilantro, and served with a dollop of sour cream, this easy recipe is a family-friendly crowd-pleaser. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this dish is the ultimate solution for those seeking speedy yet satisfying microwave dinners.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pieces Manicotti shells
- 1 pound Ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 packet Taco seasoning
- 2 cups Salsa
- 2 cups Shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 cup Chopped green onions
- 1 cup Sour cream
- 1.5 cups Water
- 0.25 cup Chopped cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
In a microwave-safe bowl, crumble the ground beef (or turkey) and cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH for 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway through, until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
Add taco seasoning to the cooked meat and stir to combine. Set aside and let it cool slightly.
Stuff the uncooked manicotti shells with the seasoned meat mixture. Use a small spoon or your fingers to carefully fill each shell without breaking them.
In a large microwave-safe baking dish, spread 1 cup of salsa on the bottom of the dish.
Arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer over the salsa.
Pour the remaining 1 cup of salsa evenly over the stuffed shells. Add 1.5 cups of water to the dish to ensure the shells cook properly.
Cover the dish tightly with microwave-safe plastic wrap or a lid to trap steam. Microwave on HIGH for 20-25 minutes, checking every 8-10 minutes to ensure the shells are softening and absorbing the liquid. Rotate the dish if your microwave doesn’t rotate automatically.
Carefully remove the cover (caution: hot steam!) and sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the manicotti.
Re-cover the dish and microwave for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the dish sit for 5 minutes to set before serving.
Garnish with chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, and optional chopped cilantro before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
682 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.2 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.2 g | 91% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 113 mg | 38% | |
| Sodium | 954 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 60.3 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.3 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.7 g | ||
| Protein | 32.1 g | 64% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 390 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 3.9 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 584 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
