Manicotti with Meat and Eggplant – Recipe for Manicotti with Meat and Eggplant

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Manicotti with Meat and Eggplant – Recipe for Manicotti with Meat and Eggplant

Manicotti with meat and eggplant is a delicious Italian dish known for its rich flavors and nutritional value. This recipe serves five people and is straightforward to prepare.

Ingredients for Manicotti with Meat and Eggplant:

Manicotti with Meat and Eggplant


For the Dish:

  • 1 large eggplant
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • Olive oil (as needed)
  • 2 small onions, finely chopped
  • 2 chicken bouillon cubes
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Basil (to taste)
  • 1 package manicotti pasta (or cannelloni)
  • 250 grams ground beef
  • 1/2 cup diced colorful bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Oregano (to taste)

How to Prepare Manicotti with Meat and Eggplant:

Prepare the Eggplant:

  1. Slice the eggplant lengthwise into thin strips. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
  2. Brush the slices with olive oil and grill them on a grill pan or non-stick skillet until tender. Set aside.

Make the Sauce:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, stirring until softened.
  2. Add the diced tomato, tomato paste, chicken bouillon cubes, basil, and 3/4 cup boiling water. Cook over low heat until the sauce thickens.

Prepare the Filling:

  1. In another pan, heat olive oil and cook the ground beef until slightly browned.
  2. Add onions, stirring until they soften, then add one chicken bouillon cube, bell peppers, 1/2 cup boiling water, and oregano. Cook until the meat mixture is done.
  3. Remove from heat and mix in the ricotta cheese once the filling cools.

Assemble the Manicotti:

  1. Stuff the manicotti pasta with the meat and ricotta mixture. Wrap each stuffed manicotti in a grilled eggplant slice.
  2. Spread half the tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish (preferably Pyrex).
  3. Arrange the wrapped manicotti on top, then pour the remaining sauce over them.

Bake the Dish:

  1. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the dish.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the manicotti is tender and the cheese is melted and golden.

Serve:

Serve the manicotti hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired. This comforting dish is sure to impress family and guests alike with its layered textures and flavors.

Buon appetito!

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