Beef And Cheese Manicotti
Creamy beef and cheese stuffed manicotti shells baked with tomato-herb sauce, offering rich flavors and gooey cheese, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 2 small cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cream-style cottage cheese, drained ⓘ
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 beaten egg ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons snipped parsley ⓘ
- 8 manicotti shells ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) can tomato-herb sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 10-inch skillet, cook ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is tender.
- Drain off excess fat.
- Stir in drained cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, and snipped parsley.
- Set the filling mixture aside.
- Cook manicotti shells according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Spread tomato-herb sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
- Stuff each manicotti shell with the beef and cheese filling and place them in the dish on top of the sauce.
- Pour remaining tomato-herb sauce over the filled shells.
- Sprinkle shredded Cheddar or Mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider using ground turkey instead of beef. You can also substitute ricotta cheese for the cottage cheese if preferred. Ensure the manicotti shells are al dente to prevent them from breaking during stuffing. Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor, so feel free to add basil or oregano from your garden. This dish is a classic among Italian recipes, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Beef And Cheese Manicotti with a side of garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal. A light drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan can elevate the flavors even more. This dish pairs beautifully with Italian Beef Soup for a hearty dinner option.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the manicotti in a baking dish covered with foil and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for convenience.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beef And Cheese Manicotti contains roughly 700 calories, with 55g protein, 74g carbohydrates, and 28g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (171% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (122% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1125mg per serving (49% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare the manicotti filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just make sure to stuff the manicotti shells just before baking to ensure they don’t become too soft while sitting.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the ground beef and replace it with sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini. You can also add more cheese for richness.
What can I use instead of manicotti shells?
If you can't find manicotti shells, jumbo pasta shells are a great alternative. They can be stuffed in the same way and will hold the filling well, providing a delicious variation to this recipe.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).