Stuffed Meatball Manicotti Recipe (EASY)

 

Stuffed Meatball Manicotti Recipe (EASY)

This Stuffed Meatball Manicotti is a comforting Italian dish filled with tender meatballs, creamy ricotta, and rich marinara sauce. It’s the perfect baked pasta recipe for a hearty and satisfying meal!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 12 manicotti shells, cooked al dente
• 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish with olive oil.
2. Prepare the Meatball Filling: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
3. Shape & Cook Meatballs: Roll the mixture into small meatballs that can fit inside the manicotti shells. Heat a skillet with olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides. Remove from heat.
4. Fill the Manicotti: In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the chopped parsley. Stuff each manicotti shell with a meatball and some ricotta cheese.
5. Assemble the Dish: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce at the bottom of the baking dish. Place the stuffed manicotti on top, then pour the remaining marinara sauce over them.
6. Bake: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with the remaining parsley and serve hot.

Nutrition (Per Serving):

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fat: 20g

Recommendations:

• Serve with garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
• Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter option.

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