Easy Sausage Manicotti Bake: A Delicious Italian Comfort Food Recipe

Craving a comforting Italian dinner that’s both easy to make and incredibly satisfying? Look no further than this **Easy Sausage Manicotti Bake**! This recipe combines flavorful Italian sausage, creamy ricotta cheese, and a rich tomato sauce, all nestled inside tender manicotti shells and baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a weekend gathering.

This recipe is designed for busy cooks. It uses readily available ingredients and streamlined steps to minimize your time in the kitchen. Don’t let the fancy name intimidate you; this manicotti bake is surprisingly simple to put together.

## Why You’ll Love This Sausage Manicotti Bake

* **Easy to Make:** With a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and impressive dinner on the table.
* **Flavorful:** The combination of Italian sausage, ricotta cheese, and tomato sauce is a classic for a reason. It’s packed with flavor that everyone will love.
* **Comforting:** This dish is the epitome of comfort food. Warm, cheesy, and satisfying, it’s perfect for a chilly evening.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can assemble the manicotti bake ahead of time and bake it just before serving. This makes it perfect for entertaining.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** Leftovers can be easily frozen for a quick and easy meal later on.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking. Add your favorite vegetables, use different types of cheese, or spice it up with some red pepper flakes.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start, gather these ingredients:

* **Manicotti Shells:** One box (about 10-12 shells) of dried manicotti shells. Make sure to handle them gently as they can be brittle.
* **Italian Sausage:** 1 pound of Italian sausage, either sweet or hot, depending on your preference. Remove the casings.
* **Ricotta Cheese:** 15 ounces (about 2 cups) of whole milk ricotta cheese. Avoid using part-skim ricotta, as it can be too dry.
* **Eggs:** 1 large egg, lightly beaten. This helps bind the ricotta filling together.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping.
* **Mozzarella Cheese:** 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, divided.
* **Tomato Sauce:** 24-28 ounces of your favorite tomato sauce. You can use store-bought or homemade.
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped.
* **Garlic:** 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced.
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
* **Dried Italian Seasoning:** 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
* **Fresh Parsley (optional):** For garnish.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious Sausage Manicotti Bake:

**1. Prepare the Sausage:**

* Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
* Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
* Add the Italian sausage (removed from casings) to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
* Stir in the dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
* Remove the sausage mixture from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.

**2. Prepare the Ricotta Filling:**

* In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
* Season with salt and pepper to taste.
* Add about half of the cooled sausage mixture to the ricotta cheese mixture. This adds flavor and texture to the filling. Mix well to combine.

**3. Assemble the Manicotti:**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
* Spread about 1 cup of tomato sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This will prevent the manicotti from sticking and add moisture to the dish.
* Using a spoon or a piping bag (a large zip-top bag with the corner cut off works well), carefully fill each manicotti shell with the ricotta cheese mixture. Be gentle, as the shells can break easily.
* Arrange the filled manicotti shells in the baking dish, on top of the tomato sauce, in a single layer.

**4. Bake the Manicotti:**

* Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the manicotti shells, ensuring they are well covered. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little water or chicken broth to thin it out slightly.
* Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top of the manicotti.
* Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This will help keep the manicotti moist and prevent the cheese from browning too quickly.
* Bake for 30 minutes, covered.
* Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.

**5. Serve:**

* Let the manicotti bake cool for a few minutes before serving.
* Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
* Serve hot and enjoy!

## Tips and Variations

* **Use a Piping Bag:** Filling the manicotti shells can be a bit tricky. Using a piping bag or a large zip-top bag with the corner cut off makes the process much easier and less messy.
* **Partially Cook the Shells:** Some people prefer to partially cook the manicotti shells before filling them. This can help prevent them from being too hard after baking. To do this, boil the shells for about 5 minutes, then drain and rinse them with cold water before filling. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will become too soft and difficult to handle.
* **Add Vegetables:** Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the sausage mixture or the ricotta filling. Some good options include spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different types of cheese in the ricotta filling. Provolone, fontina, or asiago would all be delicious additions.
* **Spice it Up:** For a spicier dish, use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or the ricotta filling.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** To make a vegetarian version of this dish, simply omit the sausage and add more vegetables to the ricotta filling. You can also use a vegetarian sausage substitute.
* **Use Different Sauce:** While tomato sauce is the classic choice, you can also use a creamy Alfredo sauce or a pesto sauce for a different flavor profile.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free manicotti shells and ensure that all other ingredients are gluten-free.
* **Add a Layer of Béchamel:** For an extra-rich and decadent dish, add a layer of béchamel sauce (a classic white sauce) over the manicotti before baking. This will add a creamy and luxurious texture.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

This Sausage Manicotti Bake is a great make-ahead dish. You can assemble it up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, simply remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the dish is very cold.

## Freezing Instructions

To freeze the manicotti bake, assemble it as directed but do not bake it. Wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and then with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, thaw the manicotti bake in the refrigerator overnight. Remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed. You may need to add extra baking time to the original time suggested if the dish is still very cold when you place it in the oven.

## Serving Suggestions

This Sausage Manicotti Bake is delicious on its own, but it can also be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Garlic Bread:** A classic accompaniment to any Italian meal.
* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts.
* **Caesar Salad:** A creamy and flavorful Caesar salad.
* **Breadsticks:** Warm and buttery breadsticks.
* **Antipasto Platter:** A platter of cured meats, cheeses, and olives.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

*Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

* **Calories:** 450-550 per serving
* **Fat:** 25-35 grams
* **Saturated Fat:** 12-18 grams
* **Cholesterol:** 100-150 mg
* **Sodium:** 800-1200 mg
* **Carbohydrates:** 30-40 grams
* **Fiber:** 3-5 grams
* **Sugar:** 8-12 grams
* **Protein:** 25-35 grams

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large Skillet
* Large Bowl
* 9×13 inch Baking Dish
* Spoon or Piping Bag
* Aluminum Foil

## Recipe Card

**Easy Sausage Manicotti Bake**

A comforting Italian dinner that’s both easy to make and incredibly satisfying!

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 45-50 minutes
**Total Time:** 1 hour 5-10 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8

**Ingredients:**

* 1 box (10-12) dried manicotti shells
* 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
* 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
* 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
* 1 large egg, lightly beaten
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
* 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
* 24-28 ounces tomato sauce
* 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Fresh parsley (optional), for garnish

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper. Add half of the sausage mixture to the ricotta mixture and mix well.
4. Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. Carefully fill each manicotti shell with the ricotta mixture. Arrange in the baking dish, on top of the sauce, in a single layer.
6. Pour remaining tomato sauce over the manicotti. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
7. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
8. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

**Notes:**

* Use a piping bag to fill the manicotti shells easily.
* Partially cook the shells for 5 minutes before filling to prevent hardness.
* Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the sausage mixture or ricotta filling.
* Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen.

Enjoy your delicious and easy Sausage Manicotti Bake! This is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a perfect way to enjoy a comforting Italian meal at home. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and variations to make it your own. Buon appetito!