Feast your taste buds on an Italian culinary masterpiece — eggplant manicotti with sausage, a delightful fusion of flavors and textures that will leave you craving for more. This delectable dish tantalizes with its tender eggplant slices, carefully stuffed with a savory blend of sausage, ricotta, spinach, and Parmesan cheese, then baked to perfection in a rich marinara sauce. Each bite is an explosion of juicy eggplant, succulent sausage, and a symphony of Italian herbs and spices. Indulge in this hearty and comforting meal that promises to transport you to the vibrant streets of Italy.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
BAKED MANICOTTI WITH SAUSAGE AND PEAS
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h28m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-by-2-inch glass baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.
- For the fonduta sauce: In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the milk and cream to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low. Add the Pecorino Romano and whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the basil. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, shallots, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until the sausage is cooked through and the vegetables have softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, break the sausage into 1/2-inch pieces. Increase the heat to high. Add the wine and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until the wine has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. Add the peas, ricotta, and 1 cup of the fonduta sauce. Season with remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Spread half of the marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Using a small spoon, fill the manicotti shells with the sausage filling and arrange in a single layer in the baking dish. Pour the remaining marinara sauce on top of the filled shells. Spoon the remaining fonduta sauce on top and sprinkle with the mozzarella. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until bubbly and golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.
SWEET SAUSAGE AND EGGPLANT PENNE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Peel half the skin from the eggplant and then chop into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle the eggplant with salt, and drain a few minutes on paper towels.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat, and add the sausage. Crumble the sausage and cook until brown. Add the garlic, celery and onions to the sausage. Pat the moisture off of the eggplant and stir the pieces into the mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the vegetables, partially covered, to soften, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and basil. Bring to a bubble and simmer the sauce to combine the flavors.
- Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat. If the sauce is too thick add a little water or chicken stock if using to thin it out.
- To serve, bring a pot of water to a boil. Salt the boiling water and cook the pasta to al dente. Add about 1 cup of starchy water to the sauce. Then drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Adjust the seasoning, then serve in shallow bowls and top with grated cheese and a drizzle of EVOO.
MANICOTTI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE
Provided by Valerie Bertinelli
Categories main-dish
Time 3h10m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepot over medium heat. Cook the sausage, breaking it up into small pieces, until browned and caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the sausage to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve for the filling.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the pot and cook the onion until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute (the tomato paste will turn a deep maroon color). Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, bay leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a pinch of black pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook for 30 minutes. Melt the butter into the sauce, remove the bay leaves and stir in 1/3 cup of basil. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature, 40 minutes.
- For the filling: mix together the ricotta, reserved sausage, the remaining 1/3 cup basil, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 1 1/2 cups Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Fold in 1 cup of the cooled tomato sauce. Place the filling in a large piping bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the manicotti shells until they have softened slightly but still hold their tubular shape, 5 minutes.
- Pour half of the tomato sauce into a broiler-proof 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Fill each shell with the ricotta mixture. Place the filled shells in the baking dish. Pipe any extra filling along the ends of the shells in the dish. Top with the remaining tomato sauce and sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and 1 cup Parmesan over the top. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake until the sauce begins to bubble, 40 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven, remove the foil and increase the oven to 425 degrees F. Put the manicotti back into the oven to bake until the cheese is browned and bubbling, about 10 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
EGGPLANT MANICOTTI WITH SAUSAGE
A new twist on traditional manicotti without pasta, eggplant slices stand in for the manicotti shells and bake with ricotta in a rich tomato-basil sauce with fresh herbs.
Provided by Classico
Categories Classico® Pasta Sauce
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Line a 15x17-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with oil (for eggplant slices). Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish (for the manicotti).
- Arrange eggplant slices in a single layer in 15x17 pan. Roast eggplant until softened, about 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Cook sausage in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until it begins to brown and is no longer pink, breaking up clumps as it cooks. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Combine ricotta cheese, egg, garlic, oregano, basil and Parmesan in a medium bowl; mix until smooth and well blended.
- Pour a cup of Classico Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce into the 9x13 pan and spread evenly on the bottom of the pan.
- Put 1 tablespoon of ricotta mixture onto longer end of eggplant slice and top with a scant teaspoon of crumbled sausage; roll up into thin roll. Place on pasta sauce in 9x13 pan. Repeat with eggplant slices making 2 rows of eggplant rolls in pan.
- Sprinkle remaining sausage over eggplant rolls. Spread remaining pasta sauce over eggplant rolls. Top with shredded Italian cheese blend.
- Bake until sauce is bubbly, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 297.2 calories, Carbohydrate 32.8 g, Cholesterol 69.5 mg, Fat 13.3 g, Fiber 12 g, Protein 14.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 872.1 mg, Sugar 14.9 g
SAUSAGE MANICOTTI
This classic Italian entree comes together in a snap but tastes as if it took hours. It's so tasty and easy to fix. My family always enjoys it. -Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h20m
Yield 7 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine sausage and cottage cheese. Stuff into uncooked manicotti shells. Place in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with marinara sauce. , Cover and bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the center of a shell reads 160°., Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 8-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Freeze option: Transfer individual portions of cooled manicotti to freezer containers; freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Transfer to a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high, stirring occasionally; add a little spaghetti sauce if necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 489 calories, Fat 24g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 59mg cholesterol, Sodium 1232mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 27g protein.
EGGPLANT MANICOTTI WITH RICOTTA, ASIAGO, AND SPINACH FILLING
Steps:
- For sauce:
- Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic; sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add wine and cook 3 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, stock, and basil; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes to blend flavors. Season with salt and pepper. Cool.
- For manicotti:
- Place ricotta cheese in strainer set over large bowl. Let stand until excess liquid drains from cheese, about 2 hours. Transfer ricotta cheese to medium bowl. Stir in Asiago cheese, spinach, nutmeg, and cayenne. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in egg.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil 2 large baking sheets. Brush both sides of eggplant slices with olive oil; arrange on prepared sheets. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until eggplant slices are tender, about 13 minutes. Cool on sheets.
- Place 1 eggplant slice on work surface. Place scant 2 tablespoons ricotta mixture near narrower end of eggplant slice. Roll up, enclosing filling. Repeat with remaining eggplant slices and filling.
- Spread half of sauce over bottom of 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Arrange eggplant manicotti in single layer atop sauce. Spoon remaining sauce over. (Manicotti can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake manicotti until heated through, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.
- Available at specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.
SAUSAGE-STUFFED EGGPLANT
A local winery/restaurant serves a stuffed eggplant appetizer that is so delicious. While trying to duplicate it at home, I found this to be one of our favorite eggplant dinners. Be sure to select an eggplant that is smooth, blemish-free and kind of heavy for it's size. Serve with a green salad.
Provided by Tanya Belt
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h15m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Brush cut sides of eggplant with olive oil and place, cut-side up onto a baking sheet. Roast in preheated oven for 30 minutes, then remove and allow to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, brown the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat; drain off the grease. Place into a mixing bowl, and season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Stir in bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and the beaten egg; mix well.
- Once the roasted eggplant has cooled enough to handle, scoop out the flesh to within 1/2-inch of the skin to create a shell. Roughly chop the eggplant meat, and fold into the sausage mixture. Divide evenly among the two eggplant shells, and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven until the filling has set, and the cheese is bubbly and golden-brown, about 30 minutes. While the eggplant is baking, warm the remaining spaghetti sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat to serve with the eggplant.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 835.9 calories, Carbohydrate 64.2 g, Cholesterol 178.8 mg, Fat 47.4 g, Fiber 18.5 g, Protein 40.7 g, SaturatedFat 16.8 g, Sodium 2410.9 mg, Sugar 32 g
MANICOTTI WITH SPICY SAUSAGE
It's easy to fill the uncooked manicotti shells for this zesty pasta bake. I receive compliments on this hearty entree every time I serve it.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h30m
Yield 8-10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same skillet, bring tomatoes and marinara sauce to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. , In a large bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, chilies, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder and pepper., Divide 2 cups of sauce between two greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dishes. Stuff uncooked manicotti shells with cheese mixture. Place in prepared pans. Sprinkle with sausage; top with remaining sauce. , Cover and bake at 375° for 50 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and manicotti is tender. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 418 calories, Fat 18g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 100mg cholesterol, Sodium 846mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 24g protein.
Tips:
- Choose the right eggplant: Look for eggplants that are firm, shiny, and have a deep purple color. Avoid eggplants that are bruised or have blemishes.
- Slice the eggplant thinly: This will help the eggplant cook evenly. You can use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice the eggplant.
- Soak the eggplant in salt water: This will help to remove the bitterness from the eggplant. Soak the eggplant in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 cup of water for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the eggplant thoroughly: After soaking, rinse the eggplant under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Brown the sausage: This will help to develop the flavor of the sausage. Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until it is browned on all sides.
- Make the filling: Combine the cooked sausage, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, and breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Stuff the eggplant: Spread a thin layer of filling on each eggplant slice. Roll up the eggplant slices and place them in a baking dish.
- Bake the eggplant manicotti: Bake the eggplant manicotti in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Conclusion:
Eggplant manicotti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With its tender eggplant, flavorful sausage filling, and creamy ricotta cheese, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to cook eggplant, give this recipe a try!
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