Manicotti is an Italian word meaning "little muffs." This tubular pasta can be stuffed with a variety of fillings to create a traditional Italian main dish. Most fillings are cheese-based and served with a tomato sauce. The cooked pasta tubes are stuffed with your choice of filling, arranged in a baking dish and and then baked in the oven to make a delicious, elegant entree.
Traditional Cheese Manicotti Filling
Ricotta cheese forms the basis for most traditional manicotti fillings; either regular or low-fat versions will work. Mix 3 cups of ricotta cheese with 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and one egg. Add 3 tbsp. of chopped fresh parsley and mix all the ingredients well. Most traditional cheese fillings also call for a touch of nutmeg, usually 1/4 tsp., but this is optional. For a more health-conscious version, you can substitute cottage cheese for the ricotta and use reduced-fat varieties of all the cheeses.
Meat Manicotti Fillings
For a heartier, meat-based filling, add ground beef or Italian sausage to your favorite cheese manicotti recipe. Brown the meat and 1/2 cup chopped onion completely, then drain the fat. Mix the cooked meat with the cheese filling ingredients from Step 1; add salt and pepper to taste.
Vegetable Fillings
Cooked vegetables can be added to the cheese or meat manicotti fillings for extra flavor. As an alternative, replace the meat or some of the cheese with your choice of fresh vegetables. Mushrooms or diced tomatoes are often added to cheese fillings, while spinach may be substituted for the beef or sausage in meat fillings. Strips of red, yellow and green bell peppers add color and flavor to both the cheese and meat filling varieties.
Preparing Manicotti
Once you have decided on your choice of filling, make your manicotti dish. Cook 12 to 14 manicotti noodles in salted, boiling water al dente and drain. Spray a 9-by-13-inch cooking dish with cooking spray. Stuff each pasta tube with filling and place it in the cooking dish. Top the pasta with 3 to 4 cups of your favorite tomato-based pasta sauce, either a commercially prepared or homemade version. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan cheese and bake for 10 to 15 more minutes.
Member Comments