Basic Manicotti

This is a basic manicotti recipe that you can make your own. You can add a pound of ground beef or sausage, omit the mushrooms, add tomatoes, lots and lots of things you can do with this!

• 1 (8 ounce) package manicotti shells
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons dried basil
• 1 jar of your favorite tomato sauce
• 8 oz package of white mushrooms, or cremini
  

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add manicotti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. In a bowl, mix 3 cups mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese,mushrooms, garlic, egg, and basil. Stuff cooked manicotti with the mixture.
4. Spread about 2 cups pasta sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange stuffed manicotti in the dish, and cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan, and continue baking 10 minutes, until mozzarella is melted and bubbly