2 versions:
1) Vegetarian: Mushroom, Spinach, Pepper, and Onion Manicotti
2) Meat: Hamburg mushroom and onion
Chester is always requesting things I have never made because I am mostly gluten and dairy free. So here goes today — Manicotti. He asked for that or calzone. I had an absolutely fabulous field trip to a great Italian Store, Micucci Grocery Store. Thanks to Maine for canceling my truck registration over small tolls in Boston. This few days down made me shop local and think italian.
If you found this under Vegetarian there are two options below and one is vegetarian. mushroom, spinach etc
CHEESE BASE FOR FILLING BELOW IS START FOR BOTH RECIPES:
Both recipes start with this base. So I made double 2 batches to make both filing today.
INGREDIENTS:
Listed ingredients below are for 1 batch (either vegetrian or meat) if you make both double these amounts:
• Olive Oil
• Manicotti Shells – (I used Pasta Columbia Manicotti, 8 oz Pack of 12)
• Tomato sauce – 24 oz.
Notes about marinara or tomato sauce
You can use: 1. Store bought, 2. Store bought and add yummy stuff to it, or 3. home made sauce
I used store bought today and added to it see below
I used Maria’s Ristorante, Portland ME marinara sauce I got at
Micucci Grocery Store
FILING INGREDIENTS:
Listed ingredients below are for 1 batch (Either vegetrian or meat) if you make both double these amounts:
• Ricotta cheese — 1.5 cups I used whole milk can use part skim)
• Mozarella – 1 cup — I only had fresh so cut it into small pieces
• Parmesan cheese or a mix Parmesan Romano & Asiago—1 cup
• Eggs — 2
•Parsley — I used fresh, 2 table spoons cut small
• Salt & Pepper
plus either the vegetarian or meat added ingredients below
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Vegetarian :
Start with the above “BASE FILING” and follow the steps below to make that. Then you will need these ingredients for my vegetarian version:
Onion — cup cut small
Garlic — 2 large cloves (More if you love it)
Mushrooms— 2 cups
Green Pepper 1/2 – 1 cup (large fresh one cut small)
Spinach— 1 cup (I used frozen today)
Meat:
Start with the above “BASE FILING” and follow the steps below to make that. Then you will need these ingredients for my meat version:
Onion — cup cut small
Garlic — 2 large cloves (More if you love it)
Mushrooms— 1 cups
Ground beef—1 lb— about 2 cups cooked
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Flavors you could add that I did not use today:
basil, oregano
Serve with:
A nice bread and or salad
STEPS:
I like to get my filing made and be already before I cook the manicotti – my personal preference you could cook manicotti before before
STEP ONE:
In a skillet heat olive oil to hot – I love cast iron for cooking and health reasons – add 1 cup of onion and 2-3 gloves garlic and sauté until onions are translucent
STEP 2 – Meat
Add 1 lb of hamburg, 1 cup mushrooms and cook until hamburg is cooked
STEP 2 – Vegetarian
Add 2 cups mushrooms, 1 cup green pepper, cook until veggies are mostly cooked and add 1 cup of cut up spinach (drain water out first if necessary)
STEP 3 – Either recipe
In a bowl combine Filing ingredients
(Ricotta cheese 1.5 cups, Mozarella 1 cup, Parmesan cheese, 2 eggs, Parsley 2 table spoons and Salt & Pepper)
STEP 3 – Either recipe
Add 2 cups of “Yummy goodness” from above all that you have sautéd in your pan meat or vegetarian – mix well
STEP 4 Cook Manicotti per package instructions – do not over cook you do not want too soft.
STEP 5 Fill Manicotti
I used a disposable pastry bag and it worked great. With patience you could use spoon or knife. No pastry bag? – empty a squeeze bottle like from mustard, mayonnaise or something and use that. If necessary cut a large hole for filling to fit through. If you can get the bag that worked great—I like easy.
STEP 6 Prepare Sauce
If you want to add anything to your sauce do it now. I set aside sautéd onion, mushroom and garlic and added that to my store bought sauce.
STEP 7 Prepare to Bake and Bake
Put olive oil on bottom of oven safe pan – put a little tomato/marinara sauce on bottom too. Place the manicotti with space in between so they are not touching. Cover with sauce and bake at 350 for about 40-45 minutes. Near end add fresh mozzarella to top.
Serve and enjoy!
FEEDBACK:
I am very new to this and want feedback. Please let me know if you try my recipes. Comment here, facebook or contact me — I’d appreciate that greatly.
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Thank you and have a fabulous Day!
COMMENTS/FEEDBACK
“The manicotti is great!!!! another success!!!! really delicious!!!! you do a great job!! You might have a little more sauce with it, a personal preference. We enjoyed it totally!! again THANKS!!!!! — Chester Pettengill
