Farmhouse Manicotti With Optional Meat Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

12 large manicotti, cooked, rinsed, drained
1 lb ground beef (or venison combination)
1 quart spaghetti sauce, divided
Filling
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups ricotta cheese (see note below)
2 tablespoons dried basil (see other note below)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preparation

Cook, rinse & drain manicotti as per package directions.
While that is cooking, brown the meat in a medium frying pan; rinse & drain for low-fat applications!
Preheat oven to 350; grease 13x9 pan; set aside.
Mix meat and spaghetti sauce; spoon 3 cups of sauce into bottom of greased pan; set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine THREE cups mozzarella with ricotta and basil.
Spoon mixture into a ziplock bag, cut off one corner, squeeze into pasta shells; lay finished shells into sauce in pan.
After all shells have been filled and nestled cutely together, pour remaining sauce over shells.
Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
Bake for 15 minutes; sprinkle with parmesan; bake for 10 more minutes.
Serve immediately. Yum!