Streamlined Manicotti

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tbsp)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt (or to taste)
• 3 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 cups grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 teaspoon table salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
• 16 no-boil lasagna noodles (magazine recommends barilla no-boil lasagna noodles, which is what i used with great success)

Recipe

• 1 for the sauce:.
• 2 adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees f.
• 3 heat oil, garlic, and pepper flakes (if using) in a large saucepan over medium heat until fragrant, but not brown, about 1-2 minutes.
• 4 stir in tomatoes and 1/2 tsp salt and simmer until thickened slightly, about 15 minutes.
• 5 stir in basil.
• 6 adjust seasoning with salt, if needed.
• 7 for the cheese filling:.
• 8 combine ricotta, 1 cup parmesan, mozzarella, eggs, salt pepper and herbs in medium bowl, set aside.
• 9 to assemble:.
• 10 pour 1 inch boiling water into 13 x 9-inch broiler safe baking dish.
• 11 add noodles one at a time.
• 12 let noodles soak until pliable, about 5 minutes, separating noodles with tip of sharp knife to prevent sticking.
• 13 remove noodles from water and place in a single layer on clean kitchen towels.
• 14 discard water in baking dish and dry baking dish.
• 15 spread bottom of baking dish evenly with 1 1/2 cups sauce.
• 16 using soupspoon, spread 1/4 cup cheese mixture evenly onto bottom three-quarters of each noodle (with short side facing you), leaving top quarter of noodle exposed.
• 17 roll into tube shape and arrange in baking dish, seam side down.
• 18 top evenly with remaining sauce, making certain that pasta is completely covered.
• 19 cover manicotti with aluminum foil.
• 20 bake until bubbling, about 40 minutes, then remove foil.
• 21 remove baking dish, adjust oven rack to uppermost position (about 6 inches from heating element) and heat broiler.
• 22 sprinkle manicotti evenly with remaining 1 cup parmesan.
• 23 broil until cheese is spotty brown, 4 to 6 minutes.
• 24 remove and cool about 15 minutes.
• 25 serve and enjoy!