My Sweet Manicotti in Meat Sauce
Indulge in the comforting flavors of *My Sweet Manicotti in Meat Sauce*, a hearty baked pasta dish that's perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This recipe combines tender manicotti shells stuffed with a luscious, slightly sweet ricotta filling—featuring a unique hint of vanilla extract for depth—and smothers them in a rich, savory meat sauce made with a blend of ground beef and mild Italian sausage. Topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan for a golden, bubbly finish, this dish marries the sweetness of crushed tomatoes and sugar with classic Italian herbs like basil and oregano. Serve this crowd-pleasing baked manicotti with a side of garlic bread or a crisp salad for a meal that's as satisfying as it is irresistible. With just 30 minutes of prep time, this oven-baked delight is as easy to make as it is to enjoy.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pieces Manicotti pasta shells
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage (mild or sweet)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 medium Yellow onion
- 28 ounces Tomato sauce
- 14.5 ounces Crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 pound Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the manicotti shells until just al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, cooking until browned and crumbled, about 7–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Stir in the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, eggs, vanilla extract, and fresh parsley. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
Using a spoon or piping bag, carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the ricotta mixture. Be gentle to avoid breaking the shells.
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer on top.
Pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over the manicotti shells, ensuring they are fully covered.
Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the manicotti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
799 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 51.9 g | 67% | |
| Saturated Fat | 23.7 g | 118% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 205 mg | 68% | |
| Sodium | 1805 mg | 78% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.3 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.5 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.1 g | ||
| Protein | 47.4 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 585 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 5.0 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 1057 mg | 22% | |
*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.
