STUFFED MANICOTTI WITH MEAT 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:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook manicotti until al dente, 5 minutes. Drain. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until soft, 6 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste and cook 2 minutes more, until garlic is fragrant and tomato paste has darkened in color. Add crushed tomatoes (with juices) and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make ricotta filling: in a large bowl, stir together ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, basil, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper. Into the bottom of a large baking dish, ladle a couple scoops of sauce. Smooth into an even layer. Spoon ricotta mixture into prepared manicotti and place side by side into baking dish, repeating until all ricotta mixture has been used. Top with remaining tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Garnish with basil and serve immediately.