MANICOTTI STUFFED WITH CHICKEN AND VEGGIES

Manicotti stuffed with Chicken and Veggies image

Provided by Darci Juris

Categories Pasta

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 pkg manicotti shells
2 chicken breast filets
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 small yellow squash, chopped
1/4 c green onions, chopped
1/2 c red onion, chopped
1 c eggplant, chopped
1 c mushrooms, chopped
4 clove garlic, minced
2 c ricotta cheese
1 c mozzarella cheese, grated
olive oil
SAUCE
2 can(s) diced tomatoes
2 can(s) tomato sauce
1/2 Tbsp each of parsley, basil, oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp sugar
1/4 c heavy whipping cream (or coconut milk)
1/4 c red wine

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake chicken for 20 minutes, or until cooked through. You may season with oregano, basil and parsley if you like.
2. Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package. Drain and set aside to let cool.
3. In a large bowl, mix together all the chopped vegetables. Over medium heat, sauté the vegetables until tender. Set aside.
4. Start the sauce. Over medium-high heat, in a large sauce pan, add all the ingredients and blend well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sauce will thicken up.
5. When chicken is done, either chop finely with a knife, or put in a food processor. Next, mix chicken with the vegetable medley, and add the ricotta cheese. Blend well.
6. When sauce is ready, spread a little sauce on bottom of casserole dish.
7. Take the manicotti pasta, one at a time, and gently stuff the chicken mixture into the shells, filling as much as possible. Be careful not to tear the pasta. Is easiest to use your hands (and a piping tool if you have one). Place shells in a casserole dish.
8. Pour remaining sauce over the top of the pasta. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
9. For the last few minutes in the oven, add the mozzarella cheese on top. Once melted, remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes.
10. Serve, and enjoy! TIP: If you like a lot of sauce, I recommend you make extra to pour over the top of each serving.