Special Manicotti Recipe

Name: Special Manicotti
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 lb Italian sausage; 1 lb ground chuck; 2 medium onions, chopped; 5 garlic cloves, minced; 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce; 1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes, chopped and undrained; 1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste; 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves; 1 1/4 teaspoons dried basil leaves; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves; 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves; 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram; 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper; 16 manicotti; 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened; 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese with chives, softened; 4 garlic cloves, crushed; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves; 1 (16 ounce) carton ricotta cheese; 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 Pound); 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Servings: persons

1/2 lb Italian sausage
1 lb ground chuck
2 medium onions, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes, chopped and undrained
1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1 1/4 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
16 manicotti
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese with chives, softened
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 (16 ounce) carton ricotta cheese
4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 Pound)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1
Remove Italian sausage from casing and crumble well in dutch oven.
2
Add ground beef, onions and garlic to sausage and cook over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble meat.
3
Remove from fire and drain well.
4
Add tomato sauce to dutch oven and the next 11 ingredients.
5
Over medium heat bring to a boil then cover, reduce heat and simmer for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
6
Cook manicotti shells in salted boiling water according to package directions.
7
Drain on paper towels.
8
Combine cream cheeses and the next 7 ingredients in a large bowl or mixer.
9
Stuff mixture into shells.
10
Spoon half the sauce into a lightly greased 14x12 inch baking pan or 2 lightly greased 2 1/2 quart shallow casserole dishes.
11
Place stuffed shells over sauce.
12
Spoon remaining sauce over shells.
13
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until heated.
14
Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

968

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 26 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1/2 lb Italian sausage, 1 lb ground chuck, 2 medium onions, chopped, 5 garlic cloves, minced, and more.

Yes, Special Manicotti falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Special Manicotti

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions