Beef and Cheese Manicotti
Beef and cheese manicotti is an Italian-style dish made with pasta tubes stuffed with a mixture of ground beef, cheese, and other ingredients. The stuffed pasta is baked in a tomato-based sauce and served hot as a main course. The rich, savory filling and the flavorful tomato sauce make this dish a satisfying and delicious meal.
Approx times: Prep: 30 min - Cook: 30 min
Approx times: Prep: 30 min - Cook: 30 min
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 8 manicotti shells
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the manicotti shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook until the vegetables are tender. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, beaten egg, and grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked meat and vegetable mixture. Mix well.
- Using a spoon or a piping bag, fill each manicotti shell with the meat and cheese mixture.
- Pour a thin layer of marinara sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti in the dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed manicotti, ensuring they are well covered. Sprinkle additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Allow the manicotti to cool before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.