Baked Manicotti Bolognese Ragu Recipes

MANICOTTI

Steps:

• Cook manicotti in boiling water until done. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, and 1/2 cup Parmesan, eggs, parsley, and salt and pepper. Mix well.
• Pour 1/2 cup sauce into an 11x17 inch baking dish. Fill each manicotti shell with 3 tablespoons cheese mixture, and arrange over sauce . Pour remaining sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
• Bake 45 minutes, or until bubbly.

BAKED BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• For the tomato sauce:
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add oil to large skillet over high heat. Add ground beef and saute, breaking up the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Add garlic, oregano and chili flakes and cook a couple minutes. Add tomatoes and season, to taste, with sugar, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
• For the bechamel:
• In a large saucepan melt butter over medium-high heat until bubbling. Add onions and saute until translucent. Sprinkle with flour, stirring constantly and cook until the mixture begins to thicken. Gradually whisk in the wine, if using, and then gradually whisk in the milk and nutmeg and cook until smooth, thick and creamy. Combine the meat sauce and pasta, and then pour in half the pasta mixture. Spoon half the bechamel over the pasta and top with half the cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Bake 30 to 45 minutes until browned and bubbly.

BAKED MANICOTTI (BOLOGNESE RAGU)

Steps:

• I suggest making the filling a few hours ahead of time to allow the flavors of cheese, garlic and herbs to fully meld.
• Beat the eggs and combine them with the Ricotta.
• Fold in the grated cheese, basil, parsley and Prosciutto until all is well combined.
• Cover with plastic wrap and keep in fridge until ready to use.
• Using lasagna noodle (if packaged cook to al dente) add enough stuffing on one end and roll up jelly roll style.
• Lay into baking pan that has been greased or coated with cooking spray.
• I use a 9x14" pan which perfectly holds 12 manicotti: 8 down the center and two on each side.
• Spoon the Ragu over the pasta until completely covered.
• Bake in the oven, uncovered, for 35 minutes.
• Remove and top with the mozzarella.
• Return to the over for an additional 10 minutes to allow the cheese to completely melt.
• Let stand for about 5 minutes.
• Serve with additional sauce on the side.
• For the Bolognese Ragu (Italian Meat Sauce) You want to use a heavy pot or sauté pan for this, something that holds the heat well.
• This will give you better control when you need to have the sauce just barely simmering.
• Melt the butter in the sauté pan over medium heat.
• Add the next 4 ingredients and sauté until the veggies are softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the ground beef and pork.
• Cook the meat while using the edge of the spoon to break up the meat into small pieces.
• Just before the meat begins to brown add the milk.
• Return the mixture to a slow boil and allow to reduce until the milk has mostly evaporated.
• About 20 to 30 minutes.
• Add the wine, return to a boil and allow the sauce to reduce until the wine is mostly evaporated, another 20 to 30 minutes.
• While the sauce is reducing drain and chop the tomatoes, reserving the juice.
• When the wine has mostly evaporated add the tomatoes, along with the reserved juice, and the red pepper.
• Now you want to reduce the flame until the sauce is barely at a simmer- only a bubble or two at a time breaking the surface.
• Maintain this simmer, stirring every 30 minutes or so, until the liquid is mostly evaporated.
• This should take about 3 to 4 hours.
• Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
• The long, slow simmering gives the meat a melt-in-your mouth quality.
• Don't be daunted by the cooking time, as it only requires you be around to give it a stir from time-to-time.