Melissa's Magnificent Manicotti

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 12 -14 manicotti noodles
• 1 lb ground beef or 1 lb lamb sausage
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) carton low-fat ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces small curd cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons basil
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• 2 (14 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) italian seasoned tomato paste
• 4 -6 ounces water
• 1 tablespoon basil

Recipe

• 1 brown beef or sausage in skillet. drain grease. add canned tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, and water. bring to simmer and reduce heat.
• 2 meanwhile, cook manicotti noodles as directed on package. do not overcook. noodles will finish cooking during baking process. set aside to cool.
• 3 prepare filling. mix all ingredients together well and place in plastic pastry bag with open tip or ziplock bag with corner cut approximately 1".
• 4 pipe filling into each manicotti noodle. place in greased baking dish.
• 5 cover with sauce. top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
• 6 cover pan with foil and bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.