I have to say that this Filling can be used with my Marinara Sauce that can be found in the recipe (below), also the Mushroom Cream Sauce can be subbed out for 2 cans of regular Cream of Mushroom Soup + Milk.
The Filling can also go into Shells or Even be rolled up in Lasagna Noodles to be cooked. It could also be done using cooked Spaghetti Noodles and poured into a Spring form pan with Sauce poured on top to cook.
For a variation: Marinara Sauce with fresh Roma Tomatoes Mushrooms and Basil IP
Oven 350° (375° if using glass or ceramic…Breville )
1/2 pack of Manicotti Noodles (7 Noodles)
FILLING:
1/2 cooked Chicken (3-4 cups) chopped into small squares, shredded, or gently food processed. Tip: Chopping in small squares, keeps more moisture in the Chicken.
1 Tsp Onion powder.
1/2 tsp Garlic powder.
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning.
1 Tbsp Parsley.
1/4 + 1/8 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper.
8 oz. grated Mozzerella Cheese divided in 1/2 (half for filling and Half for the top)
1/2 c Parmasean.
1 c Ricotta Cheese.
1/4 c Milk.
2 Eggs beaten
OPTIONAL: 1 Jalapeño for some kick if you like.
Mushroom Sauce:
By the way, a thinner version…(1/2 Tbsp less flour).. IS Cream of Mushroom Soup.
4 oz chopped Crimini Mushrooms
1 c Heavy Whipping Cream
1 1/4 c Half and Half ( save 1/4 c out, to mix in the filling for the top of the noodles, after you put the bottom layer of sauce in the pan.).
2 tsp Costco’s Better than Bullion Chicken
3 Tbsp Butter.
2 1/2 Tbsp Flour
Make the Mushroom Sauce:
In a Sauce Pan, Melt Butter, add the Mushrooms and sauté for a couple minutes until they start to brown and shrink, add Flour, stir to mix the Mushrooms with roux, then add the Cream, Half & Half and Better than Bullion Chicken, stirring constantly, let bubble until thickens up. Set aside. It will continue to thicken.
Prep the Noodles in the Instant Pot or large stove top Pot.
Pour 2 c. water in the Stainless Pot, put the Trivet in, and then put the Manicotti Noodles on the trivet. close the Lid and set the Time for 3 min. QR. Take the trivet out from the Noodles and let noodles set in the water for a couple minutes and then flip them over to soak up a little mor water. Discard the rest of the water, and set the noodles on the trivet on the counter to use. Fill immediately.
You can also Par Boil them in a pot on the stove top if you don’t have an IP, just follow directions on the Box.
Now Preheat the Breville Oven to 350° If using a ceramic or glass Dish preheat to 375° (Because the Oven interior is small the glass sucks the heat away.
Use a 9x 13 Casserole pan big enough to fit all Seven Manicotti Noodles in with so that they are not real crowded…barely touching is ok. My dish is 8×11, a fullllll pan, so 9×13 will work but will be a bit big. Remember the Manicotti will swell.
Spoon in about 1/3 of the Mushroom Sauce to Cover the Bottom of the Cassarole Dish by 1/4”. Immediately add the 1/4 cup milk to the rest of the Sauce left in the Sauce Pan to thin it out a bit. Set aside until the Manicotti are placed in the Casserole pan.
CHICKEN FILLING:
Using a Mixing Bowl, add the Ricotta, Parmesan and 1/2 of the Mozzerella Cheeses, then beaten Eggs, 1/4 c milk, and the Seasonings…(Italian seasoning, Parsley, salt and Pepper Garlic and Onion Powders). Add the Chicken. Stir the Chicken into the Filling. Take about a Tbsp of filling and heat in the microwave so you can taste it and see if you want more garlic powder and or onion powder. Nows the time?
Carefully fill each of the Noodles with the filling, ( I use my hands.) don’t Pack it too tight, or it will split the Noodles. As you finish filling one, place it in the Casserole dish on the Layer of Sauce on the bottom. Space evenly. Use leftover Filling on the ends of the packed Manicotti Shells. See pic below.
Pour the rest of the Sauce down the middles and over the top of the of the Manicottis….see pic below. Cover the Casserole with Foil and crimp it around the edges.
Bake at 350° (375° for glass or Ceramic) for 45 minutes. Remove from the Oven and uncover Manicotti. (It should be bubbling wells round the edges.) Sprinkle the rest of the Cheese on top and Return to the Oven for 15 or more min until Cheese is melted and Golden.
SAUCE: pics
Filling Pics:
Cover and Bake. Because this is Ceramic, it goes at 375° for 45 min, then remove from Oven and take the Foil off, Sprinkle with remaining Mozzerella Or Oaxaca Cheese . Bake 15 min longer.
