Description
Indulge in this comforting, restaurant-quality manicotti featuring tender pasta tubes packed with a savory ground beef and ricotta cheese blend. Enhanced with aromatic garlic, nutmeg, and a rich marinara base, this dish is a perfect family staple. It is easy to assemble, budget-friendly, and offers that classic bubbling, golden-brown finish that makes every weeknight feel like a special occasion.
Ingredients
8 oz manicotti shells (about 14 shells)
1 lb ground beef (85% or 90% lean)
1 cup yellow onion, finely diced
15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
10 oz mozzarella cheese, fresh shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, fresh grated
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
24-28 oz jarred marinara sauce
8 oz tomato sauce
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
Cook the manicotti shells in boiling salted water for 4-5 minutes, then drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the onion and ground beef until browned.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant; drain excess fat if necessary.
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, egg, half of the mozzarella, parmesan, spices (including nutmeg), and the cooked beef mixture.
Pour a thin layer of the marinara and tomato sauce mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
Carefully pipe or spoon the filling into the cooked manicotti shells and arrange them in the dish.
Top with the remaining sauce and the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
You can assemble this dish up to 24 hours in advance; keep refrigerated until ready to bake. If baking cold from the fridge, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time. The nutmeg is key to the flavor profile, so do not omit it.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American