Savory Sausage-Stuffed Manicotti: A Cheesy Italian Delight! 🧀🍝

Meaty Stuffed Manicotti Recipe

🕒 Cook Time: 50 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 8 Manicotti

Description:

Indulge in the irresistible flavors of our Meaty Stuffed Manicotti recipe! This delightful dish combines savory hot and mild Italian sausage with a cheesy, flavorful filling, all nestled inside tender manicotti shells and baked to perfection. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 hot Italian sausage link
• 1/2 mild Italian sausage link
• 1/2 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 manicotti shells

Instructions:

1. Cook Manicotti Shells:

   • Cook the manicotti shells according to the package directions. Once cooked, rinse them with cold water and drain thoroughly.

2. Prepare Sausage Mixture:

   • Remove the casings from the hot and mild Italian sausages and discard them. In a large skillet, cook the sausage meat over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until it’s crumbled and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.

3. Prepare Filling:

   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and cooked sausage mixture. Stir until well combined.

4. Stuff Manicotti Shells:

   • Using a spoon, carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the sausage and cheese mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in a lightly greased 13×9-inch baking dish.

5. Add Sauce and Bake:

   • Pour half of the spaghetti sauce over the stuffed manicotti shells in the baking dish, ensuring they are evenly coated. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.

6. Finish Baking:

   • After 30 minutes, remove the foil from the baking dish. Pour the remaining half of the spaghetti sauce over the manicotti shells and sprinkle them with grated Parmesan cheese. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Serve and Enjoy:

   • Once baked to perfection, remove the Meaty Stuffed Manicotti from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy the delicious combination of flavors in every bite!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 404.7
• Fat: 20.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 8.6g
• Cholesterol: 82.2mg
• Sodium: 1049.6mg
• Carbohydrates: 30.8g
  • Fiber: 1.9g
  • Sugar: 3.9g
• Protein: 24.1g

This Meaty Stuffed Manicotti recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become a family favorite. With its robust flavors and comforting textures, it’s perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to special gatherings. Try it out today and delight your taste buds with this irresistible Italian-inspired dish!