Description
A comforting baked manicotti filled with Italian sausage and creamy ricotta, topped with melty mozzarella.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 tsp garlic, freshly minced
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1.25 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 3/4 tsp Italian seasoning
- pinch red pepper flakes
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 12 manicotti shells
- 2.5 cups marinara sauce
- cooking spray
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (for topping)
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until onion is soft and garlic is fragrant.
- Add Italian sausage, breaking it into pieces until browned. Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, egg, mozzarella, parmesan, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and parsley. Mix until creamy.
- Stir half of the browned sausage into the ricotta mixture.
- Cook manicotti shells according to package instructions until al dente, drain and lay them out on a towel.
- Fill each manicotti shell with the ricotta mixture and place them in the baking dish.
- Top with remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with remaining sausage and mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 8-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Notes
For a richer texture, use low-moisture part-skim mozzarella. Freshly grated parmesan significantly improves texture. Allow leftovers to cool before storing; they keep for up to four days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: manicotti, Italian food, pasta, baked pasta, dinner recipe, comfort food