Manicotti: My Favorite Food

I love Manicotti....I mean I loooooooooooooooove Manicotti. It is my favorite food in the whole world. I have many, many, many recipes for the stuff, and while this is not my favorite, it is the favorite of my daughter.

Most people I know who don't like Manicotti don't like it because of the ricotta cheese. It is really a weird cheese with an odd taste that many people don't like.

This recipe doesn't have ricotta cheese.



EASY CHEESY MANICOTTI

• 8 ounces, fluid Chive And Onion Cream Cheese
• 4 ounces, fluid Regular Cream Cheese
• 3 cups Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded
• ¼ cups Shredded Parmesan Cheese (or 1/8 Cup Of The Grated Sprinkle Kind)
• 1 package Manicotti Shells (8 Oz Package)
• 1 bottle Marinara Sauce 24 Oz (or Spaghetti Sauce )
• 1 Tablespoon Parsley

* Preheat oven to 400 degrees

* Cook Manicotti shells according to the package. Drain the water. I put mine on wax paper after draining so they don’t stick together.

* Soften (in the microwave) both kinds of cream cheese. You want it softened, not cooked, so be very careful.

* In a medium bowl combine 2 cups of Mozzarella Cheese, Chive and Onion Cream Cheese, Regular Cream Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, and parsley. Mix well.

* Pour a small amount of the marinara sauce into a glass casserole dish. Spread it around.

* Fill the pasta shells with the cheese mixture. I find the easiest way to do this is to put a glop into your hand and roll it out into the form of a snake then slide it inside of the shell.

* Place stuffed shells into the casserole dish

* Pour the remaining Marinara Sauce over the top.

* Sprinkle with 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese

* Cover with aluminum foil and Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Recipe makes about 10-12 stuffed shells.