義大利的麵有很多種長相，有像天使頭髮那麼細的Angel Hair、比天使頭髮粗一點的Spaghetti、也有粗細在那之間的、也有更粗一點的、也有寬版的、也有整片波浪狀的 Lasagna、還有其他螺旋狀、米狀、貝殼狀、管狀等等，也有裡面已經包餡的義大利餃子Tortellini。每次去義大利超市，站在義大利麵的架子前面就可以弄得我眼花撩亂，因為有許多牌子、種類、樣子可以選。

Beef_and_cheese_manicotti 我平時偏愛白酒蚵蠣Spaghetti，不過再看了Everyday Italian的節目後發現，其實義大利麵的做法很多，於是今晚又挑了這道菜來試試。Manicotti是一種大型管狀的麵，通常都是讓炒過的餡塞在管子裡，再放進烤箱烤。做法有一點點複雜，但是還不到難以理解的地步，仔細看一遍，然後照的食譜的步驟做就行了。

平常一盒Manicotti就是8-ounce，裡面有14根管子。我個人認為，平均每人三根就會飽，如果你還有其他料理，怕連三根都吃不完喔。而且我喜歡量少，東西才會覺得美味，量一多就覺得膩了。

14 (8-ounce package) manicotti

1 pound ground beef
1 (15-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced

4 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3 cups marinara sauce
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat a heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, onion and ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until the meat browns and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and cool.

Brush 1 teaspoon of oil over a large baking sheet. Cook the manicotti in a large pot of boiling salted water until slightly softened, but still very firm to the bite, about 4 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the manicotti from the pot to the oiled baking sheet and cool.

Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, 1 1/2 to 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and parsley. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper to taste, and mix. Stir the cooled meat mixture into the cheese mixture.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Brush the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. Fill the manicotti with the cheese-meat mixture. Arrange the stuffed pasta in a single layer in the prepared dish and spoon the remaining sauce over.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, then the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan over the stuffed pasta. Dot entire dish with the butter pieces. Bake the manicotti uncovered until heated through and the sauce bubbles on the sides of the dish, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let the manicotti stand 5 minutes and serve.


食譜取自http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ei/0,1976,FOOD_9958_PST,00.html