5 from 9 votes
Four-Cheese Manicotti
A cheesy and meaty hearty pasta dish perfect anytime.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
808 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 30 ounces tomato puree
- 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons garlic chopped
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
- 1 cup cooking sherry red wine
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 tandard manicotti cooked per directions on package
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 2 cups Italian cheese blend finely shredded
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In large saucepan or stockpot, mix tomato puree, crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Add chopped garlic, chopped onion, Italian seasoning, Tabasco Sauce, cooking sherry, vodka, and sea salt. Mix thoroughly.
- Allow sauce to cook for approximately 1 hour and then taste. If desired, add some or all of the sugar (sugar reduces the "tang" of the tomatoes). Continue cooking sauce on low heat for several more hours (ideally and for a richer blend of the seasonings, sauce should be refrigerated overnight and cooked for an additional 2-3 hours the following day for optimal flavor).
- Thoroughly cook ground beef and drain (rinse with water if necessary to remove all grease). Return to pan and season with a few shakes each of salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove and add meat to the sauce. Cook pasta according to the package directions, drain and allow to cool, separately, on wax paper. In a separate mixing bowl, blend ricotta cheese, egg, grated parmesan, and the shredded Italian cheese blend until thoroughly mixed. Using the butter knife, begin to stuff the manicotti shells with cheese mixture until all is used. In a large baking pan (a lasagna pan is best), spread a layer of sauce that completely covers the bottom of the pan.
- Align the stuffed manicotti shells in the pan atop the sauce. Use remaining sauce to completely cover the pasta. Use as much or as little as desired of the mozzarella shredded cheese to cover. Bake in a 350-degree oven until cheese bubbles and begins to turn a golden brown. Remove, cool, and serve.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
808kcal
(40%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
49g
(98%)
Fat
47g
(72%)
Saturated Fat
20g
(100%)
Cholesterol
166mg
(55%)
Sodium
2820mg
(118%)
Potassium
1627mg
(35%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
21g
(42%)
Vitamin A
2045IU
(41%)
Vitamin C
28.7mg
(32%)
Calcium
546mg
(55%)
Iron
7.4mg
(41%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 808
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 808kcal | 40% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 49g | 98% |
| Fat | 47g | 72% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 166mg | 55% |
| Sodium | 2820mg | 118% |
| Potassium | 1627mg | 35% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 2045IU | 41% |
| Vitamin C | 28.7mg | 32% |
| Calcium | 546mg | 55% |
| Iron | 7.4mg | 41% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.