SAUCE:

2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste
3 c. water
1 chopped onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp. oregano
Salt and pepper

Simmer 1 hour. While simmering, make meat filling.

MEAT FILLING:

2 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. celery, chopped fine
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. green pepper, chopped fine
1/2 lb. Mozzarella cheese, grated
1 egg, beaten with 1/2 c. milk

Brown beef, celery, garlic, onion, and green pepper. Then add cheese and egg with milk. Cool.

Cook manicotti shells in 4 quarts of boiling, salted water with 1 tablespoon of oil for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water. Handle carefully. Stuff with meat filling. Lay filled shells in a row in a glass cake dish. Slice into thin slices Mozzarella cheese and completely cover shells. Pour tomato sauce over and bake 25 to 35 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Before serving, sprinkle with parsley leaves and Parmesan cheese. Makes 1 package of 14 shells.