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Heavenly Beef Manicotti

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A comforting and easy homemade beef manicotti recipe featuring tender seasoned beef, creamy ricotta, and a golden melted mozzarella topping. Perfect for quick family dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 jumbo manicotti shells (dried or no-boil)
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ cups (150 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 cups (480 ml) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the jumbo pasta shells and cook for 6-8 minutes until al dente but still firm. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside to dry on a towel.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well until evenly combined.
  6. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the beef filling into each cooked pasta shell. Place stuffed shells seam side down in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
  7. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta shells to avoid tearing when stuffing. Drain excess fat from beef to prevent greasy filling. Use beaten egg in filling to bind ingredients. For a crispier top, broil for last 2-3 minutes watching closely. Sauce can be simmered to thicken if watery. Stuff shells while slightly warm for easier filling.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef manicotti, comfort food, baked pasta, easy dinner, homemade, Italian recipe, family meal

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/heavenly-beef-manicotti-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food-in-5-steps/