String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake
Make a tasty Italian pasta dish with our String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake recipe. It’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. You’ll need uncooked manicotti shells, creamy string cheese, and a savory meat sauce.
This casserole is a breeze to make. Layer everything in a baking dish and bake until golden and bubbly. It’s a great choice for a quick dinner that everyone will love.
What is String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake?
String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake is a tasty Italian-style pasta casserole. It uses uncooked manicotti shells and a meat sauce with string cheese. This baked pasta is great for busy nights, making cooking easy without losing flavor.
A Delicious and Easy Italian Pasta Dish
This Italian-style casserole is easy to make. You fill uncooked manicotti shells with string cheese. Then, layer them with meat sauce and mozzarella cheese in a baking dish.
The dish is baked until it’s perfectly cooked. It becomes a comforting and tasty pasta meal that everyone will love.
Stuffed with String Cheese for Convenience
Using string cheese as the filling makes a big difference. It means you don’t need to make a ricotta filling. Just stuff the shells with string cheese and put everything together in a casserole dish.
“This string cheese manicotti dish is a real time-saver and yet it’s full of flavor. The no-boil pasta and easy filling make it ideal for busy weeknights.”
Ingredients for String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake
The main ingredients for the tasty String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake dish are:
Manicotti Shells and String Cheese
This recipe uses tube-shaped manicotti shells instead of crepes. The shells are filled with mozzarella string cheese sticks. This makes it easy to avoid the hassle of spooning or piping soft cheese into each shell.
Ground Beef or Italian Sausage
The recipe suggests using lean ground beef, like an 85/15 ratio. You can also use Italian sausage for a stronger flavor.
Spaghetti Sauce and Broth
A jarred spaghetti or marinara sauce is used for convenience. Chicken broth helps cook the uncooked manicotti shells in the casserole.
These ingredients, along with the easy assembly, make String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake a simple yet satisfying meal.
Prepare the Meat Sauce
To start making the String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage in a skillet. Cook it until it’s fully cooked and not pink anymore. Then, drain any extra fat.
After that, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté them for about 1 minute. This lets their flavors mix well.
Now, it’s time to add the jarred spaghetti sauce to the skillet. Mix it well with the browned meat. This makes a tasty base for the manicotti.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground Beef or Italian Sausage | 1 lb |
| Onion, chopped | 1 medium |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
| Spaghetti Sauce | 24 oz jar |
Now that the meat sauce is ready, it’s time to fill the manicotti shells. This step will make the dish even more delicious and satisfying.
Stuff the Manicotti Shells
Stuffing the uncooked manicotti shells with string cheese is easy. Just unwrap the string cheese and put one piece in each shell. Make sure the cheese is all the way inside. This way, you don’t need to make a ricotta cheese filling, saving you time.
Inserting String Cheese Made Easy
To stuff the shells right, take your time. Here are some tips to help:
- Gently hold the manicotti shell open with your fingers.
- Slide one piece of string cheese into the shell, making sure it’s fully encased.
- Repeat with the remaining shells and string cheese pieces.
- If the string cheese doesn’t fit snugly, you can break it into smaller pieces to fill the shell.
This stuffing manicotti method with string cheese filling makes the prep work easy. You can enjoy a tasty Italian pasta dish with little effort.
“The string cheese filling makes this no-fuss pasta prep a real time-saver.”
Layering the Casserole Dish
Now that you’ve made the meat sauce and stuffed the manicotti shells, it’s time to put the String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake casserole together. This step is key to making a tasty and good-looking dish.
Start by spreading half of the meat sauce at the bottom of a greased 3-quart baking dish. This will give the pasta a flavorful base. Then, lay the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer on top of the sauce. This helps the pasta cook evenly and lets the flavors mix well.
Next, pour the rest of the meat sauce over the manicotti shells. This will make the pasta tender and add a rich, saucy texture. Lastly, pour chicken broth around the edges of the dish. This extra liquid will help the uncooked pasta cook perfectly while it bakes.
With the casserole dish assembled and ready for baking, your String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake is almost ready to be enjoyed. The layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce will make a dish that’s sure to delight your family and friends.
Baking the String Cheese Manicotti
After you’ve layered the manicotti shells and sauce in the dish, it’s time to bake. The key to perfect String Cheese Manicotti is the right temperature and time.
Baking Instructions
Heat your oven to 375°F. Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 40 minutes. This makes the pasta tender and the flavors blend well.
Then, remove the foil and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for another 10 minutes. This makes the cheese melt and the crust golden.
Let the manicotti rest for 5 minutes before serving. This step helps the flavors and layers set.
| Baking Temperature | Baking Time |
|---|---|
| 375°F | 40 minutes (covered with foil) + 10 minutes (uncovered) |
Follow these baking instructions, cooking temperature, and bake time for perfect String Cheese Manicotti. This method ensures your dish is always cooked just right.
String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake
The final completed dish is a tasty Italian-inspired baked pasta casserole. It has tender manicotti shells filled with melted string cheese. The dish is covered in savory meat sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese.
This recipe is easy to make. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. The use of tube-shaped manicotti shells makes it simpler than traditional crepes.
Using lean ground beef (85/15 ratio) helps avoid a greasy sauce. This shows a focus on health for consumers. It also follows a common standard in recipes.
String cheese is used as the filling, making it easier than soft cheese. This shows a trend towards simpler recipes. It helps save time in the kitchen.
The recipe also suggests using store-bought or homemade spaghetti sauce. This makes it easy for busy cooks or chefs. It’s a practical choice for many.
This dish is easy to make and full of comforting flavors. It’s customizable, making it a hit with Italian food lovers. It’s a delicious and simple baked pasta casserole to enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
The String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake casserole is great with many side dishes. Try it with garlic bread to soak up the sauce. A green salad adds a fresh touch to the meal.
This casserole is loved by families. It’s made with string cheese, ground beef or Italian sausage, and tender noodles. Serve it with your favorite side dishes for a cozy Italian meal.
“This manicotti casserole is a real crowd-pleaser! The combination of the cheese-stuffed pasta, savory meat sauce, and melted mozzarella is simply irresistible.”
Suggested Accompaniments
- Crusty garlic bread
- Fresh green salad
- Roasted vegetables (such as zucchini, bell peppers, or Brussels sprouts)
- Garlic-parmesan breadsticks
- Steamed broccoli or asparagus
Pair the String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake with these tasty side dishes and accompaniments. You’ll have a complete and satisfying Italian meal that everyone will love.
Nutritional Information
A single serving of String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake is a nutritional powerhouse. It has about 408 calories. It also has 29g of carbs, 24g of protein, and 21g of fat, with 13g of saturated fat. The dish has 94mg of cholesterol and 881mg of sodium.
The manicotti is rich in vitamins and minerals. Each serving has 1047IU of Vitamin A, 6mg of Vitamin C, 429mg of Calcium, and 2mg of Iron. It also has 2g of dietary fiber, which is good for digestion.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 408 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 29g |
| Protein | 24g |
| Fat | 21g |
| Saturated Fat | 13g |
| Cholesterol | 94mg |
| Sodium | 881mg |
| Potassium | 476mg |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Vitamin A | 1047IU |
| Vitamin C | 6mg |
| Calcium | 429mg |
| Iron | 2mg |
While the String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake is tasty and filling, it’s key to eat it in moderation. Knowing the nutritional facts helps you choose the right portion sizes and balance your diet.
Tips for Making String Cheese Manicotti
The String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake recipe is great for making it your own. You can mix ground beef and Italian sausage for a richer flavor. Feel free to adjust the cheese and seasonings to your taste.
Variations and Customizations
This recipe works well in a 13×9-inch pan or an 11×7-inch casserole dish. The no-boil method makes it easy to prepare. You can use cheese sticks for a simpler stuffing process.
Prep the manicotti a day in advance and refrigerate it. Let it sit at room temperature for an hour before baking. This ensures the pasta cooks evenly.
- Recommended lean ground beef ratio: 85/15
- Cooking time to heat through: 25 to 30 minutes
- Additional baking time after adding shredded mozzarella: 5 to 10 minutes
- Refrigeration time for leftover manicotti: about 3 days
- Freezing time for leftover manicotti: up to 3 months
- Recommended storage method for freezing: wrap in plastic wrap and then foil
- Pre-baking preparation time for manicotti: up to 1 day
- Recommended warming time before baking if prepared ahead: about 1 hour
- Estimated baking time for unstuffed noodles: 45 to 60 minutes
- Cooking time for manicotti noodles according to package directions: recommend slightly less cooking time to avoid overcooking
- Assembling manicotti with cheese sticks instead of soft cheese for easier stuffing
- No-boil method used for making Cheese Manicotti
- 3 kinds of cheese used in the recipe (ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan)
- 5 from 19 votes rating received for the recipe
With these tips and customization ideas, you can make the String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake recipe your own. Enjoy a delicious and satisfying Italian-inspired meal.
Conclusion
String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake is a tasty and easy Italian pasta dish. It mixes savory meat sauce, melted string cheese, and baked manicotti shells. This dish is great for busy nights because it’s simple to make.
The pasta cooks right in the sauce, making it easy and fun for everyone. It’s perfect for both seasoned cooks and beginners in Italian food. You can also make it your own by adding your favorite toppings.
For a complete meal, serve it with garlic bread and a fresh salad. Your family and friends will love it. This dish is a hit because it’s easy to make and full of flavor.
String Cheese Manicotti Dump and Bake is a must-try for anyone wanting to cook like Italy. It’s a mix of classic tastes and modern convenience. So, get your ingredients ready, preheat the oven, and enjoy a delicious Italian meal.
