Easy Baked Manicotti

Easy Baked Manicotti


1. Tomato Sauce: Saute' 1 large onion(chopped) and 1 sweet red bell pepper(seeded and chopped) in 3 tablespoons olive or salad oil until tender. Mix in 2 cloves garlic(minced or pressed), 1 large can(28oz.) tomatoes, 1/2 cup dry red wine(optional), 1 teaspoons each sugar and salt, and 1 tablespoons dried basil leaves. Bring to boiling. Cover and simmer 20 minutes Uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 min., until sauce is reduced to about 1 quart.

2. Preparation:

3. Spoon 1 cup of the Tomato Sauce into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish.

4. Mix ground beef, parsley, onions, salt, herbs, cottage cheese, Jack cheese, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese.

5. Divide mixture into 12 to 16 equal portions. Stuff uncooked manicotti shells with it. Place filled shells in baking dish.

6. Pour remaining sauce evenly over them. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly with foil(refrigerate, if made ahead).

7. Bake at 350 F until manicotti are tender, about 1 1/4 hrs.(1 1/2 hrs if refrigerated). Uncover. Bake 5 minute to brown lightly. Serve sprinkled with additional Parmesan cheese.

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Nutrition

Ingredients