Manicotti/Stuffed Shells.. Oven and IP Version.

Preheat Oven 350°

For Instant Pot version of Stuffed Shells, see below.
I wont deceive you, this will make a bit of a mess, but it’s well worth it. Clean as you go…and once you get it in the oven you wont have a ton to clean up?.
While it’s not your traditional red sauce but This filling can also be used in Manicotti with Red Sauce. I made 8 Shells with the Red sauce to show. Recipe for Red Sauce below. Or you can make your own Marinara Sauce. Same with the Mushroom Sauce. I’m including the links for those here.

Marinara Sauce with fresh Roma Tomatoes Mushrooms and Basil IP…

Mushroom Cream Sauce.

Makes enough filling to fill 14 ish dry Manicotti Shells or …..7 Manicotti and 14 Dry Shells.

1/2 lb EACH of Hamburger and Italian sausage
1 onion chopped finely about 1 1/2 c.
4 cloves Garlic minced.
1 c Ricotta cheese.
1 c Cottage Cheese.
1 half package of frozen Spinach Thawed and squeezed out.
1 egg beaten.
1/2 c Parmesean Cheese.
2 c Mozzerella Cheese divided ….1c for filling and 1 c for the top.
1 tsp Italian Seasoning.
1 tsp Basil.
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper.
1 Tbsp EVOO.
2 cans Cream of mushroom soup.
1 c Half and half.
1 box of Manicotti Shells

Check your Noodles to sort out cracked ones. Also now is a good time to try to fit them in your pan. Make sure you know how they will fit before filling the shells.

In a frying pan, break up the Hamburger And Sausage well and fry until done but not brown. Drain the fat and add the Italian seasoning, Onions and Garlic and sauté until the onions are fully cooked. Remove from the heat. Break up and evenly add the Spinach and stir. Let cool a bit so the cheese Mix won’t melt

In a Medium mixing bowl. Add the Cottage, Parmesan, Ricotta, Basil and 1 c Mozzarella Cheeses, then the egg and stir.

Mix the Cream of Mushroom Soup with the Half and half and pour half of it into a 9×13 Casserole dish.

Mix the Cheese Mix and the Hamburger mix together. Scoop the filling into a gallon sized baggie. Cut the tip off, and fill the Dry Manicotti Noodles. Or just use a spoon and your super clean thumbs?. As you fill the Shells, set them evenly spaced in the Casserole dish width wise and two rows plus 2 turned Leave space between the noodles for expansion since your not cooking the noodles.

When the pan is full, you will have leftover filling… you can freeze it for another meal or spoon it in between the noodles.

Pour the rest of the sauce over the noodles. Sprinkle the Remaining 1 c Mozzerella Cheese over the sauce.

Cover the pan tightly with Foil and Bake for 1 hr at 350° If your using the Breville and a Ceramic Cassarole dish, you will need to cook it longer or higher. 385° for 1 hr.

Cheese Filling can be used as is, or mixed with the meat filling.
Cooked before broiler.
Baked, in the Breville, covered and then Under Oven Broiler.
Yeah, I know! I killed the Asparagus ??‍♀️
Meanwhile, I filled 3 shells with the cheese mix before adding it to the meat mixture.
These got covered and went into the Instant Pot. It took 2 15 minute cycles and 20 min NPR to get done? so it’s an hour Either way, but if you want them quicker, don’t cover, and do 15 min QR. but if you stack them , put a trivet over the bottom one and lightly cover the trivet with foil to tent it so water doesn’t drip alll in it. It will still let the pressure and steam in, and then put the other on top..
I filled a few shells with just the cheese filling
Before it cooks
This is after it was done, I had not put the Mozzerella on yet, but you get my drift…add Mozzerella, and pop under the broiler or Air Fryer. I did 5 minutes in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp+Air Fryer.
If you want them done faster, cover them entirely with sauce, and don’t cover them. Do 15 min QR.
Stuffed Shells with Spaghetti Sauce.

Non meat Red Sauce:
this can be made with 3 cloves of fresh garlic and 1 c minced Onion, and pre cooked if desired. It can also be blended up for those that don’t want chunks of tomatoes.

2 cans of Stewed Tomatoes chopped well. ( Italian seasoned)

1 can Tomato sauce

1 small can of Tomato paste

1 tsp Onion powder

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1 Tsp Italian Seasoning

Mix well and use in place of Jarred Sauce.