I love Italian food.  All of that yummy cheese and zesty sauce just makes me happy:).

Have you ever tried Manicotti?  I think of them like Italian enchiladas.   They are usually made with store bought shells and filled with cheese, but this recipe is even better because you make your own pasta kind of like a crepe.  They are so soft and delicious!  They are perfect for a big family meal:)

I found a recipe for these in an old McCall’s cookbook years and years ago.  I have tweaked it here and there to my family’s liking.  It has been a pinch hitter for me when I want to impress company.  It is so good with soft garlic bread and salad. Mmmmm!

Man-oh- Manicotti!

Recipe by Tracy @It’s a T-Sweets Day!

Sauce:

• 1/2c olive oil
• 2 lg onions, finely chopped
• 3 crushed garlic cloves
• 1 24oz can of pasta sauce
• 1 15oz can of diced Italian tomatoes
• 2tsp oregano
• 2tsp red pepper flakes
• 2tsp garlic salt
• 1c chicken broth

Manicotti Noodles:

• 12 eggs
• 3c flour
• 1tsp salt

Filling:

• 2lb ricotta cheese
• 2 lb pkg grated Italian cheese blend
• 1 lb cooked, finely chopped bacon or Italian sausage
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1tsp pepper
• 1Tbs oregano
• 2c of grated cheese for topping

Directions:   In a large skillet, make the sauce by  cooking the onions and garlic in the olive oil until clear and soft.   About 10 min.  Add the remaining sauce ingredients and let simmer over med low heat stirring occasionally.

To make the noodles, use a small 8″ non-stick pan.  This is important.  Only a non stick pan will work.   In a large blender, combine the noodle ingredients.  Blend them on your sauce setting just until mixed. Pour  1/4c of batter in the hot pan and rotate quickly to cover the bottom of the skillet.  Cook until the top is dry and then flip and cook a few more seconds.  This takes about 30 -45 seconds total.   Remove  noodles and place on a paper towel waiting to be filled.

In a med bowl, combine all of the filling ingredients.  Stir well to mix.

Pre heat the oven to 375*.   Prepare one extra large pan or two 9×13 baking dishes by covering the bottom lightly with some of the sauce.

Assemble the manicotti by placing about 1/2c of the filling down the center of each noodle.  Roll the noodle up and place in the pan. Pour all of the remaining sauce evenly over the noodles.  Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Bake for 30 min. or until golden and bubbly.

I hope your SWEET family loves these as much as mine does.  They really are fantastic!

–Tracy:)