Manicotti - cooking recipe

Ingredients

12 large manicotti shells
4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 c. ricotta cheese
6 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil (or 2 Tbsp. dried basil)
1 (26 oz.) jar prepared spaghetti sauce, divided
1/2 c. grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13 X 9 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cool water. Let pasta dry on paper towels. For filling, in medium bowl, stir together 3 c. mozzarella with the ricotta and fresh basil. Using a teaspoon, carefully stuff pasta shells with prepared cheese mixture. Spoon 2 c. spaghetti sauce into prepared baking dish. Arrange stuffed pasta over sauce. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce over top of pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake manicotti for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan; bake for 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately.