This recipe is fairly easy to make, freezes beautifully and can be cooked in the oven or in the crock-pot.
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Makes 8 servings
- 4 cups Mozzarella Cheese
- 16 ounces Ricotta Cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 6 Tablespoons fresh basil (or 2 T dried... but go with fresh if you can)
- 1 box manicotti or large shell pasta
- 26 ounces prepared spaghetti sauce
Prepare the pasta according to package instructions; rinse in cold water.
Preheat oven to 350F.
Mix 3 cups Mozzarella cheese, all the ricotta cheese, and the basil.
Pour the cheese mixture into a large Ziplock bag, cut off a corner, and squeeze it into the pasta shells.
Spray a 9x12 baking dish with non-stick spray. Pour about 2/3 of the spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the dish. Place the stuffed shells on top of the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells and top with remaining cup of Mozzarella cheese.
Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes, then remove from oven, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and return to oven for an additional 15 minutes.
Freezing Instructions:
Prepare the noodles according to package directions, and then fill with the cheese mixture. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze. Store stuffed pasta in Ziplock bags.
To Cook:
1. Pan method: Spray baking dish with non-stick spray. Pour spaghetti sauce on the bottom of dish. Place frozen (or thawed) stuffed shells on top of the sauce. Pour more sauce over the shells. Top with Mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until shells are heated through and sauce is bubbly. Remove from oven, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and return to oven for 15 minutes.
2. Crock pot method: Spray crock pot with non-stick spray. Pour some spaghetti sauce on the bottom of crock pot. Place stuffed noodles (thawed or frozen) on top of sauce, pour more sauce on top and top with Mozzarella cheese. Cook on high for about 4-5 hours, low 6-8 hours. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and cover long enough to melt.
Time Saving Tip:
Use manicotti shells and stuff without cooking. Freeze. On cooking day, add about 1 cup water to the spaghetti sauce and 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
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