Inside-Out Manicotti

Name: Inside-Out Manicotti
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/3 cup chopped onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese; 1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 8 ounces dry ziti pasta

13 ingredients

5 steps

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
1 egg
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 ounces dry ziti pasta

Directions

1

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2

In a large saucepan, heat oil over moderately high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until onion is translucent. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
3

In a medium bowl, blend together ricotta, mozzarella, egg, black pepper, and nutmeg.
4

Cover the bottom of a 2 1/2 quart baking dish with about 1 cup of the tomato sauce. Layer with half of the ziti, half of the cheese mixture, 2 more cups of the tomato sauce, and remaining ziti. Top with remaining cheese mixture and sauce.
5

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted.