Creamy Chicken Manicotti
Creamy chicken manicotti features tender pasta shells filled with seasoned chicken in a rich, cheesy sauce, perfect for comforting family dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 8 manicotti shells ⓘ
- 1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted ⓘ
- 1/2 cup commercial sour cream
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 large can straw mushrooms, drained ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 cup light olive oil ⓘ
- 1 3/4 pounds coarsely chopped yellow onion ⓘ
- 2 pounds sweet Italian sausage meat, removed from casing ⓘ
- 4 pounds ground beef chuck ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper ⓘ
- 2 (12 oz.) cans tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic ⓘ
- 1 1/2 ounces ground cumin ⓘ
- 2 ounces plain chili powder ⓘ
- 1/2 cup prepared Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons salt ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons dried basil ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons dry oregano ⓘ
- 3 (2 lb. 3 oz.) cans chopped Italian plum tomatoes, undrained ⓘ
- 2 (2 lb. 3 oz.) cans whole Italian plum tomatoes, undrained ⓘ
- 1/2 cup Burgundy wine ⓘ
- 1/4 cup lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley ⓘ
- 4 (16 oz.) cans dark red kidney beans, drained ⓘ
- 2 (5 1/2 oz.) cans pitted black olives, drained ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a very large soup kettle or lobster steamer pot.
- Add onions and cook over low heat for ten minutes until onions turn clear.
- Remove sausage from casing.
- Crumble all sausage and ground chuck into the pot with olive oil and onions.
- Cook until the meat is browned.
- Drain off as much excess fat as possible.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the creamy mixture. You can substitute rotisserie chicken for the chopped cooked chicken to save time. If you prefer a lighter dish, use low-fat sour cream and reduced-fat cheese. This recipe can also be adapted for vegetarian diets by using mushrooms or spinach instead of chicken.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the creamy chicken manicotti with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Italian recipes like Chicken Cacciatore Supreme or Minestrone Meatball Soup. For a refreshing touch, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or dill before serving.
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, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. You can add a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist while reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Creamy Chicken Manicotti contains roughly 5336 calories, with 212g protein, 604g carbohydrates, and 285g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (447% of the Daily Value), protein (424% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (317% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 freeze the creamy chicken manicotti?
Yes, you can freeze the manicotti before baking. Assemble the dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What can I use instead of manicotti shells?
If you can't find manicotti shells, you can use jumbo pasta shells or even lasagna noodles. For lasagna noodles, simply roll the filling within the sheets and layer them in the baking dish. Both options will provide a delicious alternative to the original recipe.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the filling and stuff the manicotti shells a day in advance. Just cover and refrigerate them until you're ready to bake. This will save you time and allow the flavors to meld together beautifully before serving.
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).