Manicotti

One of my favorite Italian dishes, Manicotti. This one is simple yet frustrating to make, because you have to fill those pasta tubes with the filling. Not to worry, it takes practice and patience. :)

4 Manicotti tubes per serving
2 cups Ricotta per serving (1/2 cup per tube)
1 egg whipped per 12 tubes
Dash of Garlic powder
Dash of Basil
Dash of Oregano
Salt and Pepper
Mozzarella Cheese
Your favorite pasta sauce


Par cook Manicotti in boiling water and olive oil. Do not fully cook them or you'll have a hard time filling them.  Once cooked, drain and run cold water over them to stop the cooking process. In a bowl, mix up your Ricotta Cheese, Garlic, Basil, Oregano, salt and pepper with the whipped egg. Once blended together, take one of your tubes and gingerly begin filling it with your mixture. I fill the tubes with a long handle small spoon, first filling one end, then fill the other end. You can also place your Ricotta mixture into a pastry bag and fill tubes faster. Place tube in a baking dish lined with a little of your pasta sauce. Continue the process until the desired amount of servings are achieved. Cover with pasta sauce and top with Mozzarella cheese. Bake in preheated oven 350 degrees for 40 minutes, or until top cheese has melted and browned slightly. Serve with a salad and garlic bread. Enjoy.