Meaty Manicotti Casserole
Description
Are you having a crowd for dinner? Make this wonderful casserole dish full of flavor whether you are serving a crowd or just your family. Serve with a salad and crusty bread.
Ingredients
20 uncooked manicotti shells
1 lb. bulk Italian sausage
3/4 lb. lean ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese
3 oz. package cream cheese, cubed
1/4 t. salt
6 c. meatless spaghetti sauce, divided (homemade or jarred)
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
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Cook (parboil) manicotti shells according to package directions, about 5 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 13 x 9 inch baking dishes.
Cook sausage and beef in a large skillet over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain and discard grease. Remove from the heat. Cool 10 minutes.
Drain shells; rinse in cold water.
Stir in the Mozzarella cheese, cream cheese and salt into meat mixture. Spread 2 cups spaghetti sauce in the prepared baking dishes.
Stuff each shell with about 1/4 cup meat mixture. If you have a baby spoon, it is the perfect size to stuff the meat mixture into the shells without breaking them.
Arrange stuffed shells over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Cover and bake 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and heated through.
To freeze:
Cover and freeze unbaked casserole. When ready to use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165 degrees.
8-9 servings