Recipe: Manicotti, 3 Cheese Manicotti, and Meaty Manicotti (using cream cheese) for Ginny, FL

Hi Ginny:-) I have not tried these recipes, but here are three for you to try.

MANICOTTI
Source: Easy Everyday Cooking Cards (Previously posted here at recipelink by Rachel)

12 manicotti shells
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
8 ounces soft cream cheese with onions and chives
3 cups marinara sauce
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Cook Manicotti in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water, drain again

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.

Mix 3 cups mozzarella with soft cream cheese. Stuff the manicotti; place in prepared baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce over manicotti. Sprinkle manicotti with remaining mozzarella.

Bake for 15 minutes Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake for 10 minutes longer.

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3 CHEESE MANICOTTI

12 manicotti
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 (8 ounce) container chive & onion cream cheese
4 cups spaghetti sauce, to taste
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Cook shells according to the package directions. Rinse well in cool water and dry.

While the pasta is cooking, mix together the cream cheese and 3 cups of Mozzarella cheese. Stuff shells with cream cheese mixture (I use my hands to roll a"snake" of mix and slide it right in the manicotti tube.)

Put a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 13 by 9 baking dish. Place manicotti in dish and cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle 1 cup of Mozzarella over the top.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees F. Uncover, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and bake for 15 minutes more.

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MEATY MANICOTTI
Source: Taste of Home
Yield: 7 servings

"This simple dish has been very popular at family gatherings and potlucks," notes Lori Thompson of New London, Texas. "You can assemble it ahead of time."

14 uncooked manicotti shells
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
3/4 pound ground beef
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups meatless spaghetti sauce, divided
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook manicotti shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, beef and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Remove from the heat. Cool for 10 minutes.

Drain shells and rinse in cold water. Stir the mozzarella, cream cheese and salt into meat mixture. Spread 2 cups spaghetti sauce into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Stuff each shell with about 1/4 cup meat mixture; arrange over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Cover and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and heated through.

Yield: 7 servings