SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI MANICOTTI

Steps:

• Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• Cook the manicotti shells until firm-tender (careful not to overcook, leave fairly firm) drain.
• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta or cottage cheese (if using) broccoli, 1 cup of mozza cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, onion powder, salt, pepper and garlic powder; mix well to combine and set aside.
• In a skillet cook the crumbled sausage meat over medium heat until no longer pink; drain fat.
• Add in the pasta sauce and minced garlic (if using), cook over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes.
• Spread about 1-1/2 cups of the pasta/sausage mixture in the bottom of prepared baking dish.
• Stuff the manicotti shells with the broccoli mixture (careful not to overstuff as the shells will tear).
• Arrange the stuffed shells over the sauce.
• Top with remaining sauce.
• Then sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese, then top with remaining mozza cheese.
• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake the shells for about 40-50 minutes, or until heated through.
• Delicious!