1/2 lb. ground beef
1 (1.5 oz.) pkg. spaghetti sauce mix
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
2 1/2 c. water

CHEESE FILLING:

8 oz. cottage cheese (1 c.)
1 c. shredded Mozzarella
1/4 c. grated Parmesan
1 egg, well beaten
1 tbsp. parsley
1/4 tsp. pepper
8 uncooked jumbo manicotti shells

Crumble ground beef into a 4 cup glass measure. Microwave on high 3 minutes, breaking up meat midway through cooking. Pour off grease. Stir in sauce mix, then tomato paste and water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high 10 minutes.

To make cheese filling, combine cheeses, egg, parsley, and pepper. Fill uncooked manicotti, using a small spoon.

Pour half of heated sauce into a 2 quart rectangular dish. Arrange filled manicotti in dish and pour remaining sauce. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave in high 10 minutes. Turn manicotti over. Spoon sauce over each, recover and microwave on 70% (medium high) 15-17 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Makes 4 servings.