8 ounces manicotti shells
1/4 teaspoon fennel
1/2 pound ground beef, lean, * see note
1/2 pound ground pork
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded & divided
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs, dry
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 teaspoon oregano
3/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
14 ounces spaghetti sauce

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Cool in single layer on foil. Heat oven to 350 F. In large skillet, brown meat; drain. Stir together meat, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, eggs, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion, oregano, salt and pepper. Fill each cooled pasta tube with about 1/4 cup meat filling. Spread thin layer of sauce on bottom of 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Place filled pasta in prepared baking dish; cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly. About 6 to 8 servings.

*May substitute Italian sausage for ground beef and pork and omit fennel.

Category: Main Dishes

Serving Size: 8