Description
This Sausage Manicotti recipe features tender pasta shells stuffed with a savory mixture of Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh basil, baked in a rich marinara sauce until bubbly and golden. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, this flavorful Italian-American classic combines creamy cheeses and aromatic herbs with the bold taste of sausage for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 10 manicotti shells
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- ½ small onion, diced (about ½ cup)
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
Cheeses & Dairy
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Seasonings & Herbs
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Boil manicotti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the manicotti shells for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions indicate to ensure they remain firm enough to stuff. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Cook sausage mixture: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook it thoroughly, crumbling it until no longer pink. Stir in the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, chopped basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Fold in the cooked sausage mixture until evenly combined.
- Stuff manicotti: Using a spoon or piping bag, carefully fill each manicotti shell with the cheese and sausage mixture, ensuring they are well filled but not overstuffed.
- Assemble dish: Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer over the sauce. Pour the remaining marinara sauce on top, then sprinkle the remaining 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese evenly over the dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving hot. Enjoy your delicious sausage manicotti!
Notes
- Cooking manicotti shells slightly under al dente ensures they don't become mushy after baking.
- Using a piping bag to stuff the shells makes filling them easier and cleaner.
- Fresh basil adds vibrant flavor but can be substituted with dried in a pinch (use 1 teaspoon dried).
- Feel free to swap Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated covered in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
