Manicotti Italian Casserole

Whether you’re planning to invite your friends for a weekend dinner or want to prepare a healthy dinner for your kids, manicotti casseroles is the dish everyone will enjoy.

Try out this mouth-watering recipe for a quick and healthy dinner.

Health Benefits

Garlic offers various health benefits. It helps you get rid of cold and flu and keeps you active throughout the day. It purifies your skin and can treat various skin conditions.

Garlic possesses anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic characteristics which is why it’s a common ingredient of many mouthwash solutions. Furthermore, it can maintain a healthy cholesterol level in your body and reduce the risk of cancer and heart diseases.

Protein                 32.4 g

Carbohydrates  38.3 g

Dietary Fiber      2.8 g

Potassium           127.6 mg

Fat                         24 g

Sodium                1.17 g

Cholesterol         70.4 mg

Ingredients

garlic cloves, minced: 2

pound beef, ground: 1

teaspoon olive oil: 4

tablespoon butter, cut into small cubes: 2

manicotti pasta shells: 14

medium onion, peeled and coarsely chopped: 1

tomatoes--diced: 28 oz

fresh mushrooms, sliced: 8 oz

frozen spinach, chopped: 10 oz

cups mozzarella cheese, shredded: 3

cup Parmesan cheese (grated): 1

whole-milk ricotta cheese, grated: 15 oz

tablespoon basil: 1

teaspoon fennel seeds: 1

tablespoon fresh Italian parsley leaves, chopped: 2

cups marinara sauce: 3

teaspoon salt: 1/2

teaspoon black pepper, ground: 1

teaspoon nutmeg, ground: 1/4

pepperoni, thin sliced (optional)

How To Make Manicotti Italian Casserole

1. Preheat oven at 175 °C.
2. Heat a medium-sized saucepan over a stove.
3. Add a teaspoon of olive oil, ground beef, garlic, and onion. Cook for 10 minutes at low heat until the onion pieces turn translucent.
4. Add fennel seeds, tomatoes, mushrooms, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a boil.
5. Remove the saucepan from the stove.
6. Meanwhile, mix half of Parmesan cheese, spinach, mozzarella cheese, and nutmeg powder in a bowl. Set it aside.
7. Boil salted water in a large cooking pot.
8. Add manicotti and cook for no more than 5 minutes until it slightly softens.
9. Take a large baking sheet and brush it with a teaspoon of olive oil.
10. Transfer the manicotti to the oiled baking sheet.
11. Fill the manicotti shells with the spinach mixture and pour beef sauce over the shells.
12. Add pepperoni and the remaining Parmesan cheese.
13. Cover and bake for an hour in the oven until the shells turn tender.
14. Serve and enjoy!

Trivia

• The laborers involved in the construction of the Egyptian pyramids used to eat garlic to enhance their strength.
• Garlic is believed to keep vampires and evil spirits away.
• The National Garlic Day is celebrated on April 19^th.

To get rid of the garlic smell, rub your hands with a stainless steel object under cold water.