Super Easy Working Mom's Manicotti

Ingredients

• 8 ounces manicotti, uncooked about 14 pieces
• 26 ounces spaghetti sauce, approx. 3 cups
• 1 cup water
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese, approx. 2 cups
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded approx. 2 cups
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated (we prefer the three cheese blend of asiagio,parm and romano)
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped fresh
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 lb Italian sausage (can sub assorted veggies for sausage if desired such as peppers, zucchini, aubergine, etc)
• 1 (7 ounce) can mushrooms, sliced and drained
• garlic, to taste
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 400°F.

2. 2

   Cook thoroughly sausage and mushrooms (or saute assorted veggies if making veggie version) with garlic,italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste.

3. 3

   In saucepan, combine spaghetti sauce and water; heat to boiling, stirring frequently.

4. 4

   Reduce heat; keep warm.

5. 5

   In bowl, stir together cheeses, parsley, egg, salt and pepper; spoon into uncooked pasta tubes.

6. 6

   Pour 1 cup sauce on bottom of 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish; arrange filled pasta in single layer over sauce.

7. 7

   Pour remaining sauce over pasta; sprinkle with cheese if desired and cover with foil.

8. 8

   Bake 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer.

9. 9

   Serve -pasta and filling will be HOT!

10. 10

    Enjoy!

11. 11

    To make ahead and freeze:.

12. 12

    MAKE AHEAD DIRECTIONS: Prepare as directed above; cool 30 minutes.

13. 13

    Cover tightly with plastic wrap; then foil.

14. 14

    Freeze up to 2 months.

15. 15

    Thaw in refrigerator overnight (casserole is too dry if heated from frozen state)May want to add a small amount of additional moisture- water or sauce.

16. 16

    Bake at 350°F 60 minutes or until hot and bubbly.