Description
A comforting dish of al dente pasta tubes filled with a creamy meat and cheese stuffing, topped with melty mozzarella and rich marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8–10 Manicotti Pasta Tubes, uncooked
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef or Italian Sausage
- 1 small Onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 can (24 oz) Marinara or Meat Sauce
- 15 oz Ricotta Cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded and divided
- 1 large Egg
- Fresh Parsley, finely chopped for garnish
- Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Meat Filling: Heat your skillet over medium-high. Melt in the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Next, add the ground meat and cook until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease and let it cool slightly.
- Mix the Cheese Filling: In your large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese along with half of the shredded mozzarella. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Gently fold in the cooled meat mixture until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Stuff the Manicotti: Using your piping bag or simply a spoon, carefully fill each uncooked manicotti tube from both ends until they are bursting with the delicious meat and cheese filling.
- Layer in the Slow Cooker: Spread roughly 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of your slow cooker. Place the stuffed manicotti in a single layer, then pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top, ensuring each piece is generously covered.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover and cook on Low for 240–300 minutes or High for 120–150 minutes. You know it’s done when the pasta is perfectly tender and the sauce bubbles with delight.
- Finish with Melty Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese generously over the top. Cover and let the cheese melt into a deliciously gooey, bubbly layer that invites you to dig in.
- Plate & Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley, and use a serving spatula to lift a piece of manicotti.
Notes
Make-ahead tips and cooking alternatives provided. Customize with veggies or seafood as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 300 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg