My Sweet Manicotti in Meat Sauce

Indulge in the comforting flavors of *My Sweet Manicotti in Meat Sauce*, a hearty baked pasta dish that's perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This recipe combines tender manicotti shells stuffed with a luscious, slightly sweet ricotta filling—featuring a unique hint of vanilla extract for depth—and smothers them in a rich, savory meat sauce made with a blend of ground beef and mild Italian sausage. Topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan for a golden, bubbly finish, this dish marries the sweetness of crushed tomatoes and sugar with classic Italian herbs like basil and oregano. Serve this crowd-pleasing baked manicotti with a side of garlic bread or a crisp salad for a meal that's as satisfying as it is irresistible. With just 30 minutes of prep time, this oven-baked delight is as easy to make as it is to enjoy.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 pieces Manicotti pasta shells
• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage (mild or sweet)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 medium Yellow onion
• 28 ounces Tomato sauce
• 14.5 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 pound Ricotta cheese
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the manicotti shells until just al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, cooking until browned and crumbled, about 7–8 minutes. Drain excess fat.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, eggs, vanilla extract, and fresh parsley. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 7

Using a spoon or piping bag, carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the ricotta mixture. Be gentle to avoid breaking the shells.

Step 8

Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer on top.

Step 9

Pour the remaining meat sauce evenly over the manicotti shells, ensuring they are fully covered.

Step 10

Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 11

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

Step 12

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 13

Let the manicotti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3902.6 grams (3902.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7640

Total Fat 314.90g	404%
Saturated Fat 131.80g	659%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 1346mg	449%
Sodium 8157mg	355%
Total Carbohydrate 856.70g	312%
Dietary Fiber 50.60g	181%
Total Sugars 77.20g
Protein 362.60g	725%

Vitamin D 82IU	410%
Calcium 4530mg	348%
Iron 50mg	277%
Potassium 4626mg	98%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.8%

Protein: 18.8%

Carbs: 44.4%