Cooking Instructions

Follow these steps for perfect results

Ingredients

0/13 checked
6
servings
8 unit

manicotti

dried

1 lb

ground beef

0.5 cup

onion

chopped

2 unit

garlic

chopped

1 unit

pasta sauce

1 tsp

dried oregano

0.5 tsp

salt

0.25 tsp

black pepper

3 cup

mozzarella cheese

shredded

16 unit

ricotta cheese

10 unit

frozen chopped spinach

thawed and drained

2 unit

eggs

0.5 cup

parmesan cheese

grated

Step 1
~5 min

Cook manicotti according to package directions and drain.

Step 2
~5 min

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 3
~5 min

In a large saucepan over medium heat, brown ground beef and drain off any excess fat.

Step 4
~5 min

Add chopped onion and garlic to the saucepan and cook until tender.

Step 5
~5 min

Stir in pasta sauce, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6
~5 min

Reduce heat and simmer the sauce for 15 minutes.

Step 7
~5 min

In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, thawed and well-drained spinach, eggs, and grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 8
~5 min

Mix the cheese and spinach mixture well.

Step 9
~5 min

Stuff the cooked manicotti tubes with the cheese and spinach filling.

Step 10
~5 min

Line the stuffed manicotti in a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Key Technique: Baking
Step 11
~5 min

Evenly spoon the remaining pasta sauce over the stuffed manicotti.

Step 12
~5 min

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Key Technique: Baking
Step 13
~5 min

Remove the foil cover and top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Step 14
~5 min

Bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 15
~5 min

Let the dish stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Step 16
~5 min

Serve hot and enjoy!

Pro Tips & Suggestions

Expert advice for the best results

Ensure spinach is well-drained to prevent a watery filling.

Use a piping bag to easily stuff the manicotti tubes.

For a richer flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the ricotta mixture.

Cooking Experience

Everything you need to know before you start

Time & Preparation

Cleanup Time

20 minutes

Batch Cooking
Friendly
Make Ahead

Can be assembled ahead of time and baked later.

Freezable
Kid Friendly

Cooking Environment

Messiness Level
Medium
Smell Intensity
Medium
Noise Level
Low
Elder Friendly
Suitable for seniors

Plating & Presentation

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a side of garlic bread.

Pair with a crisp green salad.

Perfect Pairings

Food Pairings

Garlic Bread
Caesar Salad

Drink Pairings

Cultural Heritage

Discover the story behind this recipe

Origin & Tradition

Region of Origin

Italy (Adapted in America)

Cultural Significance

Comfort food, family gatherings

Style

Occasions & Celebrations

Festive Uses

Christmas
Easter
Thanksgiving

Occasion Tags

Family Dinner
Holiday
Potluck

Popularity Score

65/100

More Italian-American Dinner Recipes

Discover more delicious Italian-American Dinner recipes to expand your culinary repertoire

Italian-American
Medium
B+

Chicken Marsala

4.5
(1679 reviews)

A classic Italian-American dish featuring pan-fried chicken cutlets in a rich Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms.

30 min
350 cal
Gluten-containing
Dairy-containing
75%
70
Italian-American
Medium
A

Chicken Parmesan

4.1
(1159 reviews)

Classic Italian-American comfort food featuring breaded chicken breasts baked with tomato sauce and melted cheese, served over spaghetti.

45 min
600 cal
Gluten-containing
Dairy-containing
80%
75
Italian-American
Medium
A+

Chicken Parmigiana

4.4
(561 reviews)

Classic Chicken Parmesan recipe with a crispy chicken base, flavorful spaghetti sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

45 min
600 cal
Gluten-adaptable
70%
75
Italian-American
Easy
C+

Easy Chicken Parmesan

4.2
(1151 reviews)

A simple and delicious chicken parmesan recipe perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

30 min
450 cal
High Protein
75%
70
Italian-American
Medium
A-

Spaghetti Sauce

4.2
(1697 reviews)

A homemade spaghetti sauce recipe, perfect for canning or immediate use. Simmered for 3 hours for rich flavor.

180 min
200 cal
Vegan
Vegetarian
75%
70
Italian-American
Medium
A

Pollo al Marsala

4.4
(1367 reviews)

A classic Italian-American dish featuring chicken breasts in a rich Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms and shallots.

30 min
350 cal
Gluten-containing
70%
75
Italian-American
Medium
A+

Lobster With Creamy Garlic Linguine

4.3
(1530 reviews)

A decadent dish featuring succulent lobster in a rich, creamy garlic sauce, served over linguine with fresh pea pods.

45 min
650 cal
Pescatarian
60%
75
Italian-American
Medium
A-

Spaghetti Meat Sauce

4.1
(1765 reviews)

A classic and hearty spaghetti meat sauce, simmered for hours to develop a rich and complex flavor.

250 min
450 cal
75%
70