Old-World Manicotti

By kannenk

Another way to fill the pasta is to put the cheese mixture into a large, heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and then cut off one corner, making the cut about the sam size as the manicotti opening. Then gently squeeze the bag to fill the pasta with the cheese mixture.

Ingredients

• 12 large manicotti shells
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 6 T chopped fresh basil or 2 T dried basil
• 1 (26-oz) jar prepared spaghetti sauce, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 13x9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cool water. Let pasta dry on paper towels.

3. For filling, in medium bowl, stir together 3 cups mozzarella with the ricotta and basil. Using a tsp, carefully stuff pasta shells with prepared cheese mixture.

4. Spoon 2 cups spagetti sauce into prepared baking dish. Arrange stuffed pasta over suace. Pour remaining spagetti sauce over top of pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzerella.

5. Bake manicotti for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan; bake for 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately.