Stuffed Manicotti

Another one from my mother-in law! We love this recipe, and it is fun to have something a little different from your basic lasagna. 

Stuffed Manicotti

1 lb mild ground pork sausage, or ground beef
2 15 oz cans tomato sauce, Italian style (or just add your own Italian seasonings)
1 6oz can tomato paste
1/4 c water
1/2 tbsp packed  brown sugar
1 15oz carton ricotta cheese
3 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg
1tsp parsley flakes
12 manicotti noodles, cooked, rinsed and drained
grated Parmesan cheese

In a large sauce pan, brown meat and drain. (I have done this meatless numerous times, and it tastes just as good!). Remove half of the meat and set aside. In the sauce pan stir in tomato sauce, paste, water and brown sugar. Simmer 15 min. Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl combine remaining meat, ricotta, 2 c mozzarella, egg, and parsley. In a 9 X 13 pan, pour 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce mixture in the bottom. Stuff manicotti noodles with ricotta mixture and place on top of sauce. Pour remaining sauce over filled noodles. Top with remaining mozzarella and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake uncovered at 350 for 20 minutes. Makes 6-8 servings.

I like to half this recipe, and it feeds my family of 5 very easily. I make it in a 9x9 pan instead. You could even make the full recipe but split into two 9x9 pans and freeze one. If you do half it, for the half an egg, just crack egg in a bowl, whisk it, and then use half of that in the recipe.