SIMPLE SAUSAGE MANICOTTI

Simple Sausage Manicotti image

Provided by Vicki Butts (lazyme) @lazyme5909

Categories Pasta

Number Of Ingredients 9

18 manicotti shells, uncooked
1 1/2 pound(s) bulk italian sausage
1 egg, beaten
2 cup(s) mozzarella cheese, shredded (i use an italian blend)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon(s) minced garlic, optional
1 teaspoon(s) onion powder, optional
24 ounce(s) prego spaghetti sauce (your favorite flavor)
1/4 cup(s) parmesan or roman cheese, shredded (i used an italian blend)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine raw sausage, egg, cheese, salt and pepper, garlic and onion powder.
Fill UNCOOKED manicotti with the meat mixture. I use a long iced tea spoon to stuff the tube which works pretty well.
Spread approximately 1/4 - 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce in bottom of two 13x9 pans.
Arrange the filled manicotti in each pan in a single layer.
Pour the remaining sauce over the manicotti.
Sprinkle with Parmesan or Romano and any leftover mozzarella cheese you have remaining.
If you have any leftover meat mixture left, crumble it over the manicotti and sauce.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until shells are soft and the sausage is thoroughly cooked.
Notes: I like to make these and freeze them (before adding the sauce and baking them). Then I have plenty in the freezer for a quick weeknight dinner later and can grab just what I want. I add the Prego and garnish with the Parmesan on cooking day.