Old-World Manicotti

12 large Manicotti Shells
4 cups Shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups Ricotta Cheese
6 tbs Fresh Basil, chopped (or 2 Tbs Dried Basil)
1 jar (26 oz) Prepared Spaghetti Sauce, Divided
1/2 cup Parmesan or Raomano Cheese, grated
1/2 to 1 pound Italian sausage

1 Preheat oven to 350. Spray 13 x 9-inch 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: Brown sausage. Meanwhile in medium bowl, stir together 3 cups mozzarella with the ricotta and fresh basil. Add the sausage to the cheese mixture as well. Salt and pepper this mixture to taste. Using a teaspoon, carefully stuff pasta shells with prepared cheese mixture. You could also pipe the cheese mixture in by filling a baggie and cutting the corner off creating a piping bag.

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

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

Servings: 6

***NOTE: I haven't really perfected this recipe yet...but it is very yummy! That's why its on my site!

Source: Grandma's Kitchen Recipe Cards