MEAT AND CHEESE MANICOTTI RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook manicotti shells according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in Parmesan cheese., In a small bowl, combine crab, ricotta, mozzarella, lemon-pepper seasoning, pepper and garlic powder. Stuff shells with crab mixture. Spread 1/4 cup sauce in an 8-in. square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with stuffed manicotti. Pour remaining sauce over top. , Bake, covered, until heated through, 25-30 minutes. Just before serving, sprinkle with parsley and, if desired, additional grated Parmesan cheese.

Steps:

• MEAT FILLING: Heat oil in a medium saucepan, add the onion and garlic, cook until tender.
• Add meat and cook until browned.
• Add oregano, basil, 2 tsp tomato paste, and cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring.
• Add chopped spinach and combine.
• Combine egg and cream, stir into meat mixture and season. Set aside.
• TOMATO SAUCE: Heat oil in the pan, add the onion and garlic, cook until tender.
• Add the puréed tomatoes, tomato paste, seasonings and simmer for 10 minutes, covered. Remove from heat and set aside.
• BÉCHAMEL SAUCE: Place sliced onion and peppercorns in the milk, bring slowly to the boil, remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Melt butter in a saucepan, add the flour first made into a thin paste (roux) to the saucepan.
• Strain the milk, discarding the onions and peppercorn, and slowly add to the saucepan whisking until it thickens, then add the cream and season to taste with salt and pepper -- set aside.
• ASSEMBLY (Once cooled): Cook the pasta according to package directions, then plunge into cold water to stop the cooking. Drain. Stuff the cooled meat mixture into the tubes - using either a small spoon or clean hands. I find it easy using disposable gloves. to fill them.
• Spread 3 tablespoons of the tomato sauce over the base of a large shallow dish, then arrange the filled cannelloni side-by-side over the sauce.
• Spoon the Béchamel Sauce over the cannelloni and then cover with the tomato sauce.
• Sprinkle the grated cheeses evenly on top and bake uncovered at 350ºF/175ºC for 30-35 minutes.
• Serve with Salads, Crusty bread and a nice glass of red wine.