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Million Dollar Manicotti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 130 reviews

Million Dollar Manicotti is a rich, cheesy Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring tender manicotti shells stuffed with a creamy mixture of ricotta, cream cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, and seasonings, topped with savory marinara sauce, browned ground beef, and melted mozzarella. This comforting casserole is baked until bubbly and golden, making it a perfect hearty meal for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Filling

  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Pasta and Sauce

  • 8 ounces manicotti shells, uncooked
  • 30 ounces marinara sauce (about 4 cups)

Meat

  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)

Additional Seasoning

  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the manicotti.
  2. Prepare Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, shredded Parmesan, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and coarse ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
  3. Stuff Manicotti Shells: Transfer the cheese mixture into a large ziplock bag. Cut a 1-inch opening at the bottom corner of the bag to create a piping bag. Carefully pipe the filling evenly into the uncooked manicotti shells.
  4. Prepare Baking Dish: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish in an even layer.
  5. Arrange Stuffed Shells: Place the filled manicotti shells into the baking dish, arranging them closely together but not overcrowded. Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
  6. Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste. Cook the beef until it is just no longer pink, then drain off any excess fat.
  7. Add Meat and Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle the cooked ground beef evenly over the sauce-covered manicotti. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
  8. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the manicotti shells are tender and the filling is bubbly and melted.
  9. Broil for Finish: Remove the foil and turn your oven to broil. Place the baking dish back in the oven, uncovered, and broil just until the top layer of cheese is melted and lightly browned, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  10. Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the manicotti from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. The filling will be very hot, so this rest allows it to set slightly for easier serving.

Notes

  • You can prepare this dish a day ahead and refrigerate before baking; just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
  • Make sure to use uncooked manicotti shells designed to be boiled or baked, so they properly soften when baked in sauce.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: manicotti, baked pasta, Italian casserole, ricotta cheese, marinara, ground beef, cheesy pasta bake

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/million-dollar-manicotti-recipe/