Vegetable-Filled Manicotti

Manicotti is a classic Italian dish that is typically made with a ricotta filling and a tomato sauce. This version of manicotti is filled with a vegetable filling instead of ricotta, making it a lighter and healthier option. The vegetable filling is made with a variety of chopped vegetables, including onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, and yellow squash. The vegetables are cooked in a skillet until softened and then simmered in diced tomatoes for 15 minutes. The vegetable filling is then spooned into manicotti shells and baked in a baking dish for 20 minutes, or until heated through. Serve with your favorite sauce.

Manicotti is a classic Italian dish that has been around for centuries. The name manicotti comes from the Italian word "manica," which means "sleeve." This is because manicotti are large pasta tubes that are typically filled with a ricotta filling and then baked in a tomato sauce. Manicotti is a popular dish in Italy, and it is often served at special occasions. This version of manicotti is a lighter and healthier take on the classic dish. The vegetable filling is made with a variety of chopped vegetables, including onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, and yellow squash. The vegetables are cooked in a skillet until softened and then simmered in diced tomatoes for 15 minutes. The vegetable filling is then spooned into manicotti shells and baked in a baking dish for 20 minutes, or until heated through. Serve with your favorite sauce.

Prep time: 30 | Cook time: 20 | Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 12 manicotti shells
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1 cup chopped zucchini
• 1 cup chopped yellow squash
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook manicotti shells according to package directions.
3. In a large skillet, cook onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, and yellow squash over medium heat until softened.
4. Stir in diced tomatoes and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Spoon vegetable filling into manicotti shells.
6. Place manicotti in a baking dish.
7. Bake for 20 minutes, or until heated through.
8. Serve with your favorite sauce.

Why It Works

• The vegetable filling is made with a variety of chopped vegetables, which provides a variety of flavors and textures.
• The vegetables are cooked in a skillet until softened, which helps to bring out their natural sweetness.
• The diced tomatoes add a bit of acidity to the filling, which helps to balance out the sweetness of the vegetables.
• The manicotti shells are baked in a baking dish until heated through, which helps to keep them soft and tender.