Hey guys! Whoo hoo its Friday and VALENTINES weekend! Last night we had feb Kitchen Queens and the theme was chocolate! I cooked two HUGE dishes of homemade manicotti and everyone brought DELICIOUS chocolate dishes. We had everything from coffee ice cream cake, brownies and these adorable cupcake bites! So good! We had such a blast. I just love that we have this fabulous group of women to get together and enjoy great food and each others company. We really are blessed. Next month is spring cleaning! The theme is “healthy” and we are all bringing clothes for the goodwill. As always I took a bunch of fun pics.
bree is so precious
these were ADORABLE! Find the recipe at the Bakerella Blog
pretty girls!
amanda and rachel (and bree)
my manicotti YUM!
she is just too gorgeous for words
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend full of love and bow chicka wow wow! lol : ) kidding kidding…but really. haha : )
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 pound ground beef
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
14 (8-ounce package) manicotti
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
3 cups marinara sauce (I use preggo parmesan garlic)
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. 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.
Girl, you already know I expect you to share your manicotti recipe! It looks delicious and I can't even see anything besides the pans and cheese!
love all the chocolate! have a great valentines day with mr gibby!
Looks like a fun time, per usual. I made manicotti the other day and it was a huge hit!
Love the set up, super cute. And manicotti yum!!
as always…you throw/attend/etc the best parties!!! but uh.how are you wearing a sleeveless dress in january?!!? aren't you freezing?? i mean i am sure you have a coat…but brrr!!!
happy valentines lady!
Looks like so much fun!! Sorry I missed it… we've got a house full of sicklies, so that means an extra busy Momma! 😉
YUM that dinner looks fab!!
You crack me up with the 'bow chicka wow wow' LOL =)
The manicotti looks delish! I think I need your recipe!
Aww it all looks so pretty. And that manicotti looks delicious!
Your night looked so fabulous! I love the decor, and the food looks to yummy! I have been wanting to put something like this together for a long time. My In laws actually have a "gourmet group". They get together with a bunch of there friends once a month and have a "theme" italian, german etc. And you have to make a dish according to the theme. And they rotate houses to host.
Looks like lots of fun! I love chocolate! As always you look great and I enjoy seeing pictures of Rachel's kids. I haven't seen new pics of her kids in awhile. Happy V-Day! Enjoy your dinner with Drew!
You could write a book on great table displays! Seriously, ever party I just drool over your table decs! Fun!
The table setting is GORGEOUS!!
Ok, that manicotti looks soooo yummy!!! You need to post the recipe so I can make it when I need a carb overload 🙂
Love that tablescape! & yes…please do share your manicotti recipe that looks delish!
Please post your manicotti recipe!
That all looks DELISH! I tried those cake balls once and they turned out AWFUL! But people keep saying how great they are… I can't figure out what I did wrong :o( Glad you enjoyed them!
I love the chocolate theme for Valentine's! Perfect!!
Oooh this recipe looks delish! I might just have to make it asap! How did you ladies start up Kitchen Queens if you don't mind? I used to do a girls night but I love the idea of food of course because then we all can exchange recipes etc.
the table is gorgeous! the manicotti looks soo good! the pics are soo great! I want to come next month 😉
how fun! dinner looked yummy. youll have to teach me how to make that when you can drew come visit in march!
happy love weekend!
Looks like you gals had a great time. What a great group idea. The food looks delish.
That looks wonderful, it's nice to have a fab group of ladies to get together with. Your red hair is so pretty by the way. I am a redhead also. Those adorable pink v-day treats look soooo good, I am going to check out that recipe!
xo
I really love the idea of Kitchen Queens and am totally thinking of starting something similar with my girlfriends up here! Have a wonderful Valentine's Day! Love your blog!
Courtney
So yummy!! Thanks for the recipe.
You may already know this but I just thought I would pass along the tip, my itialian fam taught me that if you want to fill Mannicotti quickly put the filling in a ziplock bag and cut the corner off, and use it like a pastry bag to fill them up!!!!!