1/2 pound pork sausage
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 16-ounce can italian plum tomatoes and liquid
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon basil
2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 cup Ricotta or creamed cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup snipped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash black pepper
12 manicotti shells
1. Prepare manicotti shells according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2. Saute pork sausage until no longer pink; drain fat.
3. Remove from pan and set aside.
4. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until tender.
5. Add pork, tomato paste, tomatoes, water, salt, bay leaf and basil.
6. Cook over medium heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until thick, stirring occasionally.
7. Remove bay leaf. Combine 1 cup of the Mozzarella cheese, the Ricotta and Parmesan cheeses.
8. Add eggs, parsley, salt and pepper; mix well.
9. Stuff manicotti shells with cheese mixture. Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in a 9x 13-inch baking dish.
10. Arrange stuffed manicotti in dish; pour remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle on remaining Mozzorella cheese. Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.
