Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling
Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling pack rich layers of Italian sausage, ground beef, and a creamy mozzarella–cottage cheese blend inside tender pasta, then breaded and fried for a crunchy exterior. A bright basil and red pepper tomato sauce adds heat and herbiness that cuts through the richness. Serve as a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day or a fun dinner party snack.
- Prep1 hr
- Cook45 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyHard
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 50 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 12 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 52 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 20
- Heart Health
- 59
- Metabolic
- 36
- Digestive
- 27
- Inflammatory
- 38
- Performance
- 35
- General Wellness
- 1
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a rolling boil. Stir in the manicotti and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain and spread on a baking sheet to cool. Place in the freezer until hardened, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, beef, and onion; saute for 3 minutes. Add the basil, rosemary, thyme, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Cook until the meat is browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in 1/2 can tomato sauce and cook until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside to cool.
- 3
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat for the sauce. Add the onion and saute for 1 minute. Add the remaining tomato sauce, rosemary, and thyme. Stir in the basil and red pepper flakes.
- 4
Fold the mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese into the cooled meat mixture. Stuff each manicotti shell with the meat mixture and place them back onto the baking sheet. Place the filled shells in the freezer to firm up, about 5 minutes. Slice the shells into bite-sized pieces.
- 5
Heat 2 quarts vegetable oil in a saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- 6
Place the flour, bread crumbs, and beaten eggs each in a separate bowl. Dredge the manicotti slices in flour, then in eggs, and then in bread crumbs, and place them on the baking sheet.
- 7
Fry the slices in the hot oil until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve with the spicy tomato dipping sauce.
- Calories 1069.39 kcal High 53%
- Protein 50.71 g Good Source 101%
- Carbohydrate 108.96 g 40%
- Total Fat 48.59 g High 62%
- Saturated Fat 27.71 g High 139%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 210.54 mg High 70%
- Sodium 1975.04 mg High 86%
- Dietary Fiber 4.83 g Moderate 17%
- Total Sugars 13.45 g --
- Added Sugars 1.03 g Low Source 2%
- Calcium 394.5 mg Good Source 30%
- Iron 7.21 mg Good Source 40%
- Potassium 553.08 mg Moderate 12%
- Vitamin A 88.08 mcg Low Source 10%
- Vitamin C 4.45 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin D 0.38 mcg Low Source 2%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Eggs 🥚
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling is an Italian appetizer recipe made with 18 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 45 mins, serves 8, and is rated hard. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Bread Crumbs, and Cottage Cheese. Each serving provides about 1069.39 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling?
- It is an Italian recipe made with 18 ingredients, usually served for appetizer or snack.
- What is Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Bread Crumbs, Cottage Cheese, Diced Onion. The full list of 18 is above.
- What goes well with Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling?
- Explore these Italian side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling?
- About 1 hr 45 mins in total: 1 hr to prepare and 45 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 1069.39 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling easy to make?
- This recipe is rated hard, with 18 ingredients and 7 steps.
- Is Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling healthy?
- Fried Manicotti Bites with Lasagna Filling has an easyChef Pro health score of 38/100. Per serving, it provides 1069.39 calories and 50.71 g of protein, or 101% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium and iron. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 1975.04 mg (86% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 27.71 g (139% of the Daily Value). It contains Eggs, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Tomatoes and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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