Inside-Out Manicotti is a delightful twist on the classic Italian dish, combining the flavors of traditional manicotti without the hassle of stuffing shells. This recipe, adapted from an original by Behr Kleine on Allrecipes, enhances the dish with the addition of ground beef, Italian sausage, and fennel seed for a robust, flavorful sauce that simmers to perfection. It’s an easy-to-assemble dish that promises to satisfy your craving for hearty Italian flavors without the labor-intensive preparation.
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Other:
- 1/2 pound ziti pasta (or any tube pasta of your choice)
Instructions
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Cook Pasta: Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Prepare Sauce: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until cooked through. Drain excess fat.
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Simmer Sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, fennel seed, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, black pepper, and nutmeg. Mix until well blended.
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Assemble: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom of a 2-1/2 quart baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti over the sauce, followed by half of the cheese mixture. Add another 2 cups of the meat sauce over the cheese layer, then add the remaining ziti pasta. Finish with the remaining cheese mixture and meat sauce.
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Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
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Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 745.8
- Fat: 37.1g
- Saturated Fat: 17.1g
- Cholesterol: 153.2mg
- Sodium: 1397.8mg
- Carbohydrates: 56.5g
- Fiber: 3.3g
- Sugar: 4.3g
- Protein: 44.8g
Recipe Notes
This Inside-Out Manicotti recipe offers a convenient alternative to traditional manicotti, where the pasta and cheese are layered with a hearty meat sauce rather than being individually stuffed. The addition of fennel seed enhances the sauce with an authentic Italian flavor, while the combination of ground beef and Italian sausage adds richness and depth. It’s a family-friendly dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner, offering all the comforting flavors of a classic Italian meal with a fraction of the effort.
Enjoy this dish with a side of garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a complete meal that will surely become a favorite at your dinner table. Adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences and feel free to experiment with different types of pasta shapes for added variety.
