Manicotti

I have never made manicotti before nor have I ever tried it! So last night was a first for both. I have to admit, it came out really good!!

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

Manicotti Ingredients
1 box (8 oz) of manicotti noodles
2 jars (26 oz) of pasta sauce
4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 egg
2 tbsp. dried basil
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp of minced garlic (I did add this, but next time I will omit it because I didn't care for the taste in the manicotti.)


Boil a pot of water. Once it boils, turn off the burner and add in the shells, leave them in the water for 15 minutes. This will cook the shells just right to be stuffed and it will finish perfectly in the oven.
While the shells are emerged in water, start making the stuffing. In a bowl, mix together 3 cups of mozzarella cheese, 2 cups ricotta cheese, 1 egg, 2 tbsp of dried basil, 1 tbsp of minced garlic (if you're doing this), and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.

Your noodles should be finished by now. Drain the water and allow them to sit in a drainer to dry up a bit prior to stuffing. Preheat oven to 350*

Spread roughly 2 cups of pasta sauce on the bottom of the 13x9 dish just enough to coat the bottom. Begin stuffing the shells. Place shells in dish, cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top.

Place in the oven for 25 minutes until cheese is melted on top.

 (I added some parmesan on top, I would wait until the last 10 minutes to add this next time I make it)