Best 3 Special Manicotti Recipes
In the realm of Italian cuisine, manicotti stands out as a delectable dish that enchants taste buds and captivates the senses. These exquisite pasta tubes, filled with a symphony of savory ingredients, are enveloped in a luscious sauce, creating a culinary masterpiece that will leave you yearning for more. Whether you seek a classic rendition or a contemporary twist, this article embarks on a flavor-filled journey to help you discover the ultimate recipe for "special manicotti" that will elevate your culinary repertoire and impress even the most discerning palate.
Let's cook with our recipes!
SPECIAL CHEESE MANICOTTI
Shredded zucchini and bottled Italian salad dressing give such yummy flavor to the cheese filling in this pasta bake that guests will never miss the meat. "It's the perfect size for a small gathering," informs Lisa Otis of Drain, Oregon.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h
Yield 7 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook manicotti according to package directions; rinse in cold water and drain. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in the egg, sour cream, salad dressing and zucchini., Carefully stuff manicotti with cheese filling. Place in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Pour spaghetti sauce over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake 5 minutes longer or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 396 calories, Fat 20g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 77mg cholesterol, Sodium 879mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 20g protein.
SPECIAL MANICOTTI
This classic casserole is terrific to serve at more casual Christmas gatherings. It's so special because it features both a white and red sauce.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- In a saucepan, combine the water, tomato paste, sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain and set aside. , Place spinach in a steamer basket; place in a saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 2-3 minutes or until wilted. Drain on paper towels; finely chop. Add to beef. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, cream, egg, parsley, salt and pepper. Stuff into manicotti shells. Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Place manicotti over sauce., For white sauce, melt butter in a small saucepan. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Pour over manicotti. Top with remaining tomato sauce., Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until heated through. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts :
SPECIAL MANICOTTI
This recipe comes from a cookbook, A Cause For Applause. I posted the recipe as stated in the book, but I'll list a few "good to know" tips I discovered when making it. I used 2 tbsp sugar, 1 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves, 1 tsp salt and an 8 ounce container of chive & onion cream cheese spread because that's all I could find. I used a 14 1/2 Ounce can of diced tomatoes. Be sure to buy two 8 Ounce boxes of manicotti shells to allow for breakage. A little tip I learned about manicotti shells and lasagna strips is not to boil them. I clean my sink very well and fill it with hot tap water and let the pasta soak for 20 minutes. It finishes cooking in the dish when baked. The pan I used was apprxoximately 10x14 and I was able to fit 21 shells in the pan. I still had a little filling left and probably could have stuffed about 4-5 more shells but I didn't have any shells that weren't broken. The left over filling makes a great spread for crackers. I guess I may not have stuffed mine as full so I was able to yield more shells. I found the best way to stuff the shells was by hand - just simply put a little stuffing in at a time until full. Also, I did not grease my pan and nothing stuck. I covered the dish with foil and baked it for 20 minutes then uncovered and baked another 20 minutes. This dish is a little labor intensive, but is so good and so worth it. I cook my sauce one day and put it together the next so it doesn't seem so time consuming.
Provided by Luby Luby Luby
Categories Manicotti
Time 3h45m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Remove Italian sausage from casing and crumble well in dutch oven.
- Add ground beef, onions and garlic to sausage and cook over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble meat.
- Remove from fire and drain well.
- Add tomato sauce to dutch oven and the next 11 ingredients.
- Over medium heat bring to a boil then cover, reduce heat and simmer for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Cook manicotti shells in salted boiling water according to package directions.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Combine cream cheeses and the next 7 ingredients in a large bowl or mixer.
- Stuff mixture into shells.
- Spoon half the sauce into a lightly greased 14x12 inch baking pan or 2 lightly greased 2 1/2 quart shallow casserole dishes.
- Place stuffed shells over sauce.
- Spoon remaining sauce over shells.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until heated.
- Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 713.5, Fat 49.7, SaturatedFat 25.6, Cholesterol 166.4, Sodium 2012.5, Carbohydrate 26.6, Fiber 5, Sugar 15, Protein 42.8
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta: For manicotti, you'll need large pasta tubes that can be stuffed. Look for manicotti shells or jumbo pasta shells.
- Use a flavorful filling: The filling is what makes manicotti special. Consider using a combination of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Some popular options include ricotta cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, ground beef, and Italian sausage.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Manicotti should be cooked until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and difficult to stuff.
- Be careful when stuffing the pasta: Use a spoon or a piping bag to fill the pasta shells. Be careful not to overfill them, or they may burst during cooking.
- Bake the manicotti in a flavorful sauce: A simple tomato sauce or a creamy Alfredo sauce are both good options. You can also use a combination of sauces.
- Serve the manicotti with grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs: This will add extra flavor and texture to the dish.
Conclusion:
Manicotti is a delicious and versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. With a little planning and effort, you can create a manicotti dish that will impress your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a special meal, give manicotti a try!
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