manicotti stuffed with chicken & vegetables
Manicotti is typically found stuffed with only cheese. Why not mix it up a little and stuff it with something different? I get fresh, organic vegetables from a local farm delivered to my door every two weeks. Each of the below vegetable ingredients were part of the delivery. I wanted to try to make a stuffed manicotti that could be somewhat healthy. And the chicken added some extra protein as well. All in all, it was delicious.
prep time
30 Min
cook time
1 Hr 15 Min
method
Convection Oven
yield
6-8 serving(s)
Ingredients
- 1 package manicotti shells
- 2 - boneless chicken breasts
- 1 small zucchini, chopped
- 1 small yellow squash, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 cup eggplant, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- 4 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- SAUCE INGREDIENTS
- 2 cans diced tomatoes (15oz each)
- 2 cans tomato sauce (15oz each)
- 1 tablespoon each of basil, oregano and parsley (dried)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup red wine
How To Make manicotti stuffed with chicken & vegetables
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Step 1Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain and set aside to let cool.
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Step 2In a large bowl, mix together all the chopped vegetables. Over medium heat, sauté the vegetables until tender. Set aside.
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Step 3Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake chicken for 20 minutes, or until cooked through. You may season with oregano, basil and parsley if you like. While chicken is cooking, start the sauce.
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Step 4Over medium-high heat, in a large sauce pan, add all the sauce ingredients and blend well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sauce will thicken up. (the longer the better if you can spare 60 minutes)
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Step 5When chicken is done, either chop finely with a knife, or put in a food processor. Next, in a large bowl, mix chicken with the vegetable medley. Add the ricotta cheese and blend well.
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Step 6Take the manicotti shells, one at a time, and gently stuff the chicken mixture into the shells, filling as much as possible. Be careful not to tear the shells. Is easiest to use your hands.
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Step 7Place the shells in a casserole dish. When sauce is ready, pour over the top of the pasta. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. For the last few minutes in the oven, add the mozzarella cheese on top. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes.
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Step 8Tip: If you like a lot of sauce, I recommend you make extra to pour over the top of each serving.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
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