Hearty Turkey Sausage Manicotti Bake
Indulge in this delightful Hearty Turkey Sausage Manicotti Bake! This comforting dish features tender manicotti pasta shells stuffed with a savory mixture of sweet turkey Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, and a creamy white sauce, topped with gooey mozzarella and vibrant tomato sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to please adults and kids alike. Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
N/A
Servings
250
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Uncooked manicotti
10 (Uncooked)
Cooking spray
as needed (For pan coating)
Sweet turkey Italian sausage
1 lb (Remove casings)
Onions
1 1/2 cups (Chopped)
Green bell pepper
1 cup (Chopped)
Butter
2 tablespoons (Melted)
All-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (Sifted)
Nonfat milk
2 cups (At room temperature)
Black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (Ground)
Shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups (Shredded)
Tomato-basil pasta sauce
2 cups (Ready to use)
Grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (Freshly grated)
Instructions
1
Cook the manicotti pasta according to the package directions, omitting any salt or added fat. Drain and let cool.
2
In a large nonstick skillet, heat over medium-high heat and coat with cooking spray. Remove the casings from the turkey sausage and add it to the skillet, cooking for about 5 minutes until browned, stirring frequently to crumble.
3
Add the chopped onions and green bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
4
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour, whisking constantly for about 2 minutes until lightly golden.
5
Gradually add the nonfat milk to the flour mixture, whisking continuously until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 6 minutes until it thickens, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the black pepper.
6
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of the milk mixture with the sausage and vegetable mixture. Mix well.
7
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
8
Stuff each manicotti shell with about 1/3 cup of the sausage mixture and place them in a single layer in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray.
9
Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the stuffed manicotti, then pour the remaining milk mixture over the top, followed by the tomato-basil pasta sauce.
10
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
22g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Turkey Sausage Manicotti Bake?
It is a comforting pasta dish featuring manicotti shells stuffed with sweet turkey Italian sausage, onions, and green peppers, topped with a creamy white sauce, mozzarella, and tomato-basil sauce.
What are the main ingredients for this recipe?
The main ingredients include 10 manicotti shells, 1 lb of turkey sausage, onions, green bell peppers, butter, flour, nonfat milk, mozzarella cheese, and tomato-basil sauce.
How many calories are in a serving of this manicotti bake?
Each serving contains 250 calories.
What type of sausage is recommended?
The recipe specifies 1 lb of sweet turkey Italian sausage with the casings removed.
How should I prepare the manicotti pasta?
Cook the pasta according to package directions without salt or added fat, then drain and let it cool before stuffing.
What vegetables are included in the filling?
The filling includes 1 1/2 cups of chopped onions and 1 cup of chopped green bell pepper.
How do I prepare the turkey sausage?
Remove the casings and cook the sausage in a nonstick skillet for about 5 minutes until browned, stirring to crumble.
How do I make the white sauce?
Melt butter, whisk in flour for 2 minutes, then gradually whisk in nonfat milk and cook until thickened.
What kind of milk is used for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of nonfat milk at room temperature.
How do I season the creamy sauce?
Stir in 1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper once the sauce has thickened.
How is the sausage mixture prepared?
Combine the browned sausage and sautéed vegetables with 1/2 cup of the prepared white milk sauce.
What is the oven temperature for baking?
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
How much filling goes into each manicotti shell?
Stuff each manicotti shell with approximately 1/3 cup of the sausage and vegetable mixture.
What size baking dish should be used?
Use a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
How is the cheese layered in the dish?
Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella over the stuffed shells before adding the remaining sauces.
In what order are the sauces added over the pasta?
Pour the remaining milk sauce over the mozzarella, followed by the tomato-basil pasta sauce.
What is the final topping before baking?
Sprinkle 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the tomato-basil sauce.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake the manicotti for 35 minutes until it is bubbly and golden brown.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 10g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 22g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in this recipe?
Each serving provides 15g of protein.
Is the manicotti cooked before stuffing?
Yes, the shells must be cooked according to package directions and cooled before you stuff them.
What kind of pasta sauce is suggested?
The recipe recommends using 2 cups of ready-to-use tomato-basil pasta sauce.
What are some recommended side dishes?
This dish pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Should the sausage be crumbled?
Yes, stir the sausage frequently while cooking to ensure it crumbles properly.
How many manicotti shells does the recipe use?
The recipe is designed for 10 uncooked manicotti shells.
Does the flour need special preparation?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of sifted all-purpose flour for the sauce.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
Sauté the chopped onions and green peppers for 5 minutes or until tender.
Is the cheese part-skim?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, letting the bake cool slightly before serving helps the sauce set and makes it easier to serve.