Stuffed Manicotti With Fresh Marinara Sauce Recipes

STUFFED MANICOTTI MARINARA

Steps:

• Prepare the sauce, combine all ingredients except the oregano in a thick bottomed sauce pan.
• Simmer uncovered stirring occasionally until it's reduced by half.
• Add the oregano and simmer another 5 minutes.
• This gives you 1 1/2 cups of sauce (the unused sauce freezes well).
• While the sauce is simmering, mix the spinach, Ricotta, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
• Stuff the manicotti and place them by pairs in individual baking dishes.
• Drizzle 2 tbsp or so of Sauce over each noodle.
• Top each serving with an ounce of Mozzarella.
• Bake uncovered in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes.

MANICOTTI WITH MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and set a large pot of water on the stovetop to boil.
• In a bowl, combine the ricotta, egg, Parmesan, parsley, and salt and pepper. Set this filling aside.
• Cook the manicotti in boiling water for minute. After they've cooked for one minute, remove the pot from the heat but do not drain the manicotti squares in a colander as the noodles often stick together. Instead, run cold water into the pot until you can fish the manicotti squares out safely with your fingers. Shake off the excess water as you remove each square. It is usually best to place the squares on a clean cloth to further blot them.
• Lay the squares flat on a cloth, placing the filling across the center of the dough, leaving a little room at the edges on each side. Turn up the edge nearest you so that it lies on top of the filling. Now turn the edge farthest from you towards you so that it lies on top of the first edge. You now have a cannoli-like tube. Spread 1 ladleful of the sauce onto the bottom of a 9 by 12-inch baking pan. Turn the manicotti over and place seam-side down in the baking pan on top of the sauce. Continue until the pan has a layer of manicotti. Spoon 2 more ladlefuls of sauce over the top and bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit 10 minutes before serving. Serve with additional sauce for individual servings.
• Everyone has his own variation of marinara sauce. Borgatti's is basic and can be used throughout this book whenever marinara is called for. The seasonings and herbs can be adjusted, to taste.
• In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, heat the oil. Saute the garlic, salt, and pepper for 5 minutes or until the garlic is softened. Add the remaining ingredients, then raise the heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Simmer for 30 minutes. The sauce can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator and several months in the freezer.

THREE CHEESE STUFFED MANICOTTI

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut off the tip (not the root end) of a garlic exposing the cloves. Place in small baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil using your fingers to rub the olive oil all over the cut. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
• 2. Cook manicotti noodles according to package instructions.
• 3. In medium bowl mix together ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley and at least six cloves from the roasted garlic (please see notes). In 8 x 11 inch casserole dish spread 1 cup marinara sauce. Stuff each manicotti with cheese mixture. You can stuff half of the manicotti, turn so you are holding the mixture in with the palm of your hand and stuff the other side. Place in dish and repeat until all the noodles are filled. Top with remaining marinara. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, top with remaining parsley and serve.
• 4. NOTES Roasted garlic is very sweet and mild. If you press on the stem end of the baked garlic clove it will easily squeeze out into the cheese mixture. I use a fork to mix the cheese mixture so I can break up the roasted garlic.