THREE CHEESE MANICOTTI  Ingredients:       1/4 cup Chopped onion    1 Garlic clove-- minced       1 tablespoon Olive oil    1 can Tomatoes - (16 1/2 oz)       1 can Tomato sauce - (8 oz)    1 teaspoon Sugar       1 teaspoon Dried oregano -- crushed    1/4 teaspoon Dried thyme -- crushed       1 small Bay leaf    8 Manicotti       2 Eggs -- beaten    2 1/2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese       1 1/2 cups Ricotta cheese    1/2 cup Grated parmesan cheese       1/4 cup Snipped fresh parsley    1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano -- crushed       1 dash Pepper

Preparation:

For the sauce, in a 2-quart saucepan, cook onion and garlic in hot oil until tender but not brown. Add undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, the teaspoon oregano, the thyme, and the bay leaf. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat; discard bay leaf. Meanwhile, cook manicotti according to package directions; drain. Rinse shells in cold water. For filling, in a medium mixing bowl stir together eggs, half the mozarella cheese, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, parsley, the 1/2 teaspoon oregano, and dash pepper. Spoon filling into manicotti. Pour half the tomato mixture into a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Arrange stuffed manicotti in the baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over shells. Sprinkle remaining mozarella cheese atop. If desired, cover and chill manicotti for up to 24 hours. To serve, bake the stuffed manicotti, covered, in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until heated through.

Categories:  Baked Goods, Baked goods, Dinner, Entree, Main Dishes

Estimated Serving:  8

Estimated preparation time:  40 min.

Language:  English

Shared by:  Jilly    2009/12/02