What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Cheerful Choices: Italian Meatball Manicotti! Pasta tubes, known as manicotti, are mere vessels for holding melted cheese, savory meat, Italian herbs, and certain vegetables like spinach or mushrooms. The marinara sauce is spread on the bottom of the dish to prevent the pasta from sticking, or tearing, which would ruin the whole idea of creating the perfect pocket of delicious fillings. With a crowning layer of marinara sauce on top, it deserves a round of applause for the extra cheese sprinkled there for good measure. Cray, Cray!
ITALIAN MEATBALL MANICOTTI
Ingredients:
6 dried manicotti shells
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic
12 Italian meatballs, cut in quarters
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend
8 ounces marinara sauce, prepared
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°. Spray an 8.5”x5.5” baking dish with nonstick oil. Set aside. Cook manicotti shells in boiling water for 9 minutes. Drain and cool on a baking sheet pan. Set aside. In a skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic clove, meatballs, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and Italian herb blend. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove and set aside to cool slightly for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, spread half the marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Gently fold in meatball mixture. Fill each manicotti shell with meat and cheese mixture; place in the prepared baking dish over the marinara layer. Top with remaining marinara sauce. Cover dish with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
snapshotsincursive 
Gail why don’t you do in a Big way .
Open restaurants and/or pack and sell online.
You are very creative in cooking.
You will earn Bid Success
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Awww. Thanks, Shiva, for such great support. At this time in my life, I am content. Blessings. 🙏🏻🍃
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Okay
Contentment is a greatest thing one possesses.
But your culinary Art should be rightfully come to use.
You can start a small at certain hours in your own home for youngsters interested. These days it is a great job and well playing.
Hugs
Blessings to you.
🙏♥️
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I take your high praise to heart. You made my day. Always! 🌟✨💫
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Big Success
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Meatballs are always a hit.
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Right? We eat them as appetizers, on pizza, in spaghetti, and more. Yum. 🍃😍
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Nice recipe
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Thank you. Leftovers enhance the flavor even more. 😋🌿
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Add some vino and garlic bread and boom! If you don’t add these things? Still boom!
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Must. Have. Wine. 🍷
I. Love. Bread. 🥖
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I. Totally. Agree.
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Well played. 👏
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I just ate breakfast, but my stomach is growling at me now. I love things that can be filled, especially if it begins with pasta…
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Food snapshots have that effect on me, too. 😋
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That is one of those Italian dishes that everybody loves.
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Very true. Add a nice garden salad and you’re done. 🥗 🍃
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😋👍
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I make cheese manicotti but why not throw in some meatballs 🙂
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Honestly, I look for any excuse to serve meatballs. 😍🌿
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