Manicotti Recipe

[ravish30]

Manicotti

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

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cool water. Let pasta drain in strainer. For filling: in a medium bowl stir together 3 cups of mozzarella with the ricottta and fresh basil. Using a teaspoon, carefully stuff pasta shells with prepared cheese mixture.

Spoon 2 cups of spaghetti sauce into prepared baking dish. Arrange stuffed pasta over sauce. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce over top of pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.

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