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Ground Beef Stuffed Manicotti

The perfect Sunday supper - this Ground Beef Stuffed Manicotti can be made ahead of time to save you from that dinnertime rush. Filled with ground beef and cheese and topped with a homemade sauce, this is a winning pasta dinner!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 727 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 celery stalk finely chopped
  • 1 carrot peeled and finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper plus more to taste
  • 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 dried bay leaf
Manicotti:
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 8 oz manicotti pasta (12 pieces)
  • 1 tablespoon butter cut into pieces

Instructions

To make the sauce:
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the onion and cook until it softens and is translucent, 5-8 minutes. 
  3. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another 30-60 seconds. 
  4. Add the celery and carrot along with the salt and pepper and continue to cook until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.
  5. Add the tomatoes, sugar and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered breaking up the tomatoes as the sauce cooks.
  6. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaf. 
  7. Cool the sauce slightly, then transfer the sauce to a blender (work in batches, if needed) and process until smooth.
To make the manicotti:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 3/4 cup of the prepared sauce in the bottom of the dish. Set aside.
  2. Place a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
  3. While the beef is cooling, mix the ricotta, one cup of the Mozzarella, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, the parsley, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl. When the beef mixture has cooled slightly stir it into the cheese mixture.
  4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt generously. Add the manicotti and cook until it is softened, but still firm to the bite, about 6 minutes. Remove the manicotti from the water and transfer to a baking sheet to cool off.
  5. Transfer the meat and cheese mixture to a large ziplock bag. Cut off the corner. Squeeze the mixture into the manicotti and place the stuffed pasta in the baking dish in a single layer. Spread the remaining sauce over the top of the pasta. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan over the top. Dot with the butter pieces.
  6. Bake the manicotti, uncovered, until it is heated through and the sauce is bubbling and hot, about 35 minutes.
  7. Let the manicotti sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Sauce can be made ahead of time. Cool the sauce, cover and refrigerate until needed.
  • Sauce can be made ahead of time. Cool the sauce, cover and refrigerate until needed.
  • The manicotti can be made ahead of time. Prepare up to the point of baking, but cover and refrigerate.  Bring to room temperature before baking through.
  • The manicotti can be made ahead of time. Prepare up to the point of baking, but cover and refrigerate.  Bring to room temperature before baking through.
  •  
  • Adapted from Everyday Italian
  • Adapted from Everyday Italian
  • Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts.
  • Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 727kcal (36%) Carbohydrates 44g (15%) Protein 50g (100%) Fat 40g (62%) Saturated Fat 20g (100%) Polyunsaturated Fat 12g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 135mg (45%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 9g (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 727

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 727kcal 36%
Carbohydrates 44g 15%
Protein 50g 100%
Fat 40g 62%
Saturated Fat 20g 100%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12g 71%
Trans Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 135mg 45%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 9g 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.