Wonderful Manicotti or Stuffed Jumbo Shells

May 10, 2023May 10, 20230 1
Wonderful Manicotti or Stuffed Jumbo Shells for your next Italian feast
in Pasta

Prep

30 min

Cook

40 min

Ready In

1 hour 10 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
2/3 lb ground Italian sausage
1 medium onion , chopped
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon sweet basil
1 teaspoon season salt ( I like Nature 's Seasoning )
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder ( or more if you love garlic I usually add more )
1 lb cream cheese ( regular , low fat or no fat , all work well )
manicotti or jumbo pasta shells
32 ounces Italian sauce
1/2 lb shredded Italian cheese , mix ( Mozzarella , Fortina , Parmesan )

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
8-10
Calories
545
Sugar
9g
Fat
30g
Wonderful Manicotti or Stuffed Jumbo Shells are an Italian-American classic that embodies comfort and simplicity. The dish consists of large pasta shells stuffed with a mixture of beef, Italian sausage, and cream cheese, then baked in a flavorful tomato sauce and topped with shredded cheese. This recipe is perfect for a cozy family dinner or casual get-together with friends. The dish is easily customizable to suit any taste preferences or dietary needs, such as swapping in turkey or chicken for the beef, or using gluten-free pasta shells.

Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2.In a large pan, brown the ground beef, ground Italian sausage, and chopped onion over medium-high heat.
3.Add marjoram, sweet basil, season salt, garlic powder, and cream cheese to the pan. Cook until the cream cheese has melted and everything is well combined.
4.Cook the manicotti or jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions. Stuff each pasta shell with the beef and cheese mixture.
5.Place the stuffed shells in a 9x13 inch baking dish and cover with Italian sauce and shredded Italian cheese.
6.Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

PROS

This dish is hearty and flavorful, making it a crowd-pleaser for any Italian-themed dinner party or family gathering.

The mixture of beef, Italian sausage, and cream cheese packs a protein punch while the cheese and pasta provide substantial carbs.

This recipe can easily be adapted to feed a large group or portioned into smaller servings for meal prep or leftovers.

CONS

This dish is high in calories and carbs, mainly from the cheese and pasta components.
It may not be suitable for those on a low-carb or keto diet.

It requires a bit of time and effort to stuff the pasta shells and bake the dish, so it may not be the best option for those short on time.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While this dish is not particularly healthy, it can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in moderation.
The combination of beef, cheese, and pasta provides a good source of protein, carbs, and fat to fuel and nourish the body.
This recipe can be adapted to include more veggies, like spinach or mushrooms, to add more fiber and micronutrients to the dish.

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