Manicotti Italian Casserole

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 1

Manicotti Italian Casserole: A Classic Italian-American Dish

by The Chefin Pasta

Prep

20 min

Cook

50 min

Ready In

1 hr 10 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

10-12

Calories

660

Sugar

11g

Fat

31g

Manicotti Italian Casserole is a classic Italian-American dish that is loved by many. It is essentially stuffed pasta shells with a meaty tomato sauce and cheese baked into a casserole dish. This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd or for meal prep, as it can be made ahead of time and reheated. While it is not the healthiest dish, it is hearty and comforting, making it a great choice for a cozy night in or a potluck dinner. With its delicious combination of cheese, meat, and pasta, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Instructions

1.	Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2.	Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
3.	In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned.
4.	Add the drained mushrooms and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
5.	Add in the spaghetti sauce and stir until everything is well combined.
6.	Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread a thin layer of the sauce in the dish and spoon some of the beef-sausage mixture into each manicotti shell. Arrange the shells over the sauce, then pour remaining sauce over the top. Add thinly slices pepperoni. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
7.	7.Cover dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
8.	Remove the foil and bake an additional 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
9.	Let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

PROS

Manicotti Italian Casserole is a classic Italian-American dish that is hearty, delicious, and comforting.
It is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for feeding large groups.
Plus, it can be made ahead of time and reheated for easy meal prep.

CONS

The dish is high in calories, fat, and sodium, so it should be consumed in moderation.
The recipe can easily be customized to be healthier, such as using lean ground turkey instead of beef and reducing the amount of cheese used in the recipe.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While not the healthiest dish, Manicotti Italian Casserole does provide a good source of protein and some nutrients like calcium and iron. However, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

	1 pound rigatoni pasta
	1 pound ground beef
	1 pound Italian sausage
	1 can mushrooms , drained
	2 jars spaghetti sauce
	1 1/2 pounds shredded mozzarella cheese
	thinly sliced pepperoni