Stuffed Manicotti with Fresh Marinara Sauce

prep time:: 45 min
total time:: 1 hr 30 minutes

Makes 12- manicotti’s

Judy

So good and so easy!

ingredients

Batter:
3 Large Eggs
1 1/2 Cup Milk
2 tbs. Melted Butter
1 cup all purpose flour
Pinch salt
Cooking spray
Ricotta Filling
1 Pound Ricotta Cheese
1/2 Pound Shred Mozzarella Cheese (8 oz. bag)
1 Large Egg
1 teas Salt
1 teas Sugar
1/2 teas Black Pepper
1/4 teas Nutmeg
1/4 cup Fresh Parsley Fine Chop
Marinara Sauce
1/4 Olive Oil
1 Small Onion Fine chop
4 Garlic Cloves Peel and Crushed
2 (28 oz) Can Crushed Tomatoes
1/4 Cup Italian Parsley Fine Chop
1/2 Fresh Basil Leaves Torn
Salt & Pepper
Manicotti Topping
1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan

directions

1
Make the Crepes
2
In a large bowl whisk eggs, milk, and melted butter. Gradually whisk in flour, and salt till the mixture is smooth. Refrigerate for 1- hour till slightly thickened.
3
Spray an 8"nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Place pan over medium heat. With a small ladle, pour about 3 tbls. of batter into pan. Turn the pan to distribute batter around evenly. Cook only until lightly brown, about 30 seconds. Turn crepe over and cook other side until lightly brown. Slide onto a platter and continue with remaining batter. You can stack between wax paper to avoid sticking together. Prepare ahead if you like.
4
Ricotta Filling
5
Mix all ingredients for the ricotta filling in a large bowl. stir till well blended. Store covered with plastic wrap in refrigerator till ready to use. May make a day ahead.
6
Marinara Sauce
7
In a large sauce pan, heat olive oil, Stir in the onion and garlic. Do not brown, Add the crushed tomatoes, and crush further in the pan. I add a large can of tomato sauce as well. Simmer about 30 minutes , stirring every so often. Add the parsley, basil, salt & pepper to taste. Simmer another 15 minutes.
8
Putting it Together
9
Preheat oven to 375 degrees, coat the bottom of 9“ x 13” dish with about 1 cup sauce.
10
Spoon ricotta filling onto crepe, about 1" from edges. Roll evenly into a log, keep the filling even as you roll. Repeat with remaining crepes. Place manicotti seam side down in baking dish. Spoon 1-2 cups of sauce on top of manicotti. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover dish loosely with foil and bake about 20 minutes, uncover and bake another 20 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest about 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!