This Italian dinner recipe has a secret ingredient (non-traditionally Italian) and is practically guaranteed to make your family/guests swoon with delight. While it does take a bit to create, it’s quite easy to do. It’s also very hands-on. The recipe and directions are below.
Ingredients:
1 pound hamburger or Vegetarian hamburger
2 boxes of Manicotti (NOTE: this will give you at least 25 manicotti)
8-10 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese
8-10 ounces shredded Ricotta or Parmesan cheese (Note: you can use cheddar or 3-cheese Italian, but try Ricotta first)
10-12 ounces of shredded Swiss cheese
1 24-ounce jar of pasta sauce (Prego, Ragu, etc.). Two jars to be sure you have enough
10-ounce package of frozen chopped broccoli (you may have to use a bag of cut broccoli and cut the pieces a little more)
3 slices of bread (any kind will do, I use whole wheat most of the time, or the occasional white)
1 yellow onion
3 raw eggs
A spot of olive oil
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
Begin browning the burger over medium heat; immediately chop half the onion and include it in the browning. While the browning occurs, cube the 3 slices of bread and cut the broccoli more if it needs it. If you have purchased the cheese pre-grated you’re good; if not, grate the cheese.
Once the burger is browned, put into a large bowl and boil the manicotti pasta, timing it for the fewest minutes the package suggests. Put the frozen broccoli on top of the burger, followed by the cubed bread. Now add all the cheese, then the 3 raw eggs. (NOTE: Shredded Parmesan or 3-Italian cheese can be substituted in place of Ricotta, but try Ricotta first)With your hands mix it all up very good. Once the manicotti is boiled, immediately take it off the stove, strain it and pour cold water over it to keep it as firm (and still edible) as possible.
Coat the bottom of a baking dish at least 9×13 inches with extra virgin olive oil and then coat that with pasta sauce. Finish straining the manicotti and then hand-stuff the manicotti, putting each in the baking dish when stuffed. When the baking dish is filled, coat the manicotti with pasta sauce of your choice, COVER FOR A MORE MOIST PASTA, and bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.
When done, serve alone, with a side of salad, or with Texas Toast. Enjoy!
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