Classic Cheese Stuffed Manicotti

I shouldn't have bragged to you yesterday about catching the sneaky mouse. I slept good last night knowing my little mouse friend was no longer with us, but to my surprise this morning I saw not one, but TWO more sneaky little mice running from behind my couch into the kitchen. Last year we didn't have a problem with mice because we had cats living in the fence row behind our house (the fence row's only about 10 feet away). This summer the possums ran the cats off and now we have mice :( To make matters worse, my husband's more scared of mice than me... and I'm terrified! He once thought he was going to shoot a mouse under the cabinet. I know what you're thinking.... really, we're not hillbillies! Enough mouse rambling. Here's a wonderful tried-and-true recipe that's been a favorite in our house for years. This wonderful meatless entrees perfect for company, yet easy enough for a week night meal. Miss Picky Pants Makayla will even eat these delicious cheese stuffed shells. I hope your family enjoys it as much as we have :)

Two exciting things are happening this week. My crock pot nacho supreme recipe will be in a local recipe contest (and with your help I will hopefully get enough votes to make it to the cook-off...I'll post more info on Wednesday) and Thursday I will be the SITS featured blogger!

CLASSIC CHEESE STUFFED MANICOTTI
1 package manicotti noodles (14 pieces)
1 3/4 cups (15 oz container) ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 TBSP chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 cups (28 oz jar) spaghetti sauce
extra mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Cool in single layer on foil. Heat oven to 350. In large bowl, stir together cheeses, parsley, salt and pepper; spoon into cooled pasta tubes (I always slit them long ways, stuffed them and then place them seam side down into dish). Spread thin layer of sauce on bottom of 13x9 inch baking dish; arrange filled pasta in single layer over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over pasta; cover with foil. Bake 40 minutes. Remove foil; top with extra cheese if desired and bake 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Comments

Sandy's Kitchen said…
Great recipe! Good luck with catching the mice and the local recipe contest!
Mrs. M said…
Those sound wonderful! Good luck with the mice situation! EEEK!! :-)
SnoWhite said…
delicious!

(about the pasta, that is... not to be confused with the mice). ;)
Katy ~ said…
LOL about the mice. Living in the country we have a number of field mice. Of course, our two "provider" cats are most anxious to bring them home and leave them on the front porch for all to admire.

Manicotti looks good! I don't make it nearly often enough.

Wishing you many votes on your cooking contest! You always have such delicious recipes to share.
Anonymous said…
Yum, we love manicotti. It's been awhile since we had it, I think it's about time!
teresa said…
oh i love this, it's making me hungry!
Lara said…
Sorry about your mice problems...that's no fun. :( On the other hand, the manicotti looks amazing! Yum!
Melody said…
Love these tried and true recipes! Good luck with the mice!
Chicago Mom said…
Poor you! Mice in the house cannot be fun. We had them in the garage last year, but some poison took care of them.
Your manicotti looks great!
Anonymous said…
Mice give me nightmares!! This recipe looks fabulous! Can't wait to try it!!
Alexis AKA MOM said…
Making my mouth water as always my dear. I don't even need a cookbook anymore I just come here ;)
Coleens Recipes said…
Your manicotti looks delicious, wish I had some right now. I hate mice too, but I've never thought of shooting one (I got a real chuckle out of that). I suggest you "borrow" a neighbors cat or they have some very good mouse traps these days where you don't even have to look the murdered mice!!
Starr said…
Hi Heidi - Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am with you sister on the mice thing! I am terrified of them!! EEK!
Your manicotti looks DEElicious and it's going on the menu for next week! Thanks for such a yummy sounding recipe.
Ingrid_3Bs said…
MOVE girlfriend! Okay maybe that's not an option but perhaps I see a coupla cats in your future! Good luck!
~ingrid
Rachel said…
I have two cats that I'll gladly give you for your mice problem :) I give you credit...I would be freaking out! We had a few mice in our garage and that about did me in!

As usual, your recipe looks so good!! I can never get enough pasta!!!
Hey, I think I could actually make this! It always looks hard, but yours looks so yummy, and fairly easy. Thanks!
Betty Manousos said…
Great recipe,pick.
So delicious!!!
Keri said…
This is the diet version, right? Please say yes, even if it isn't . I'm crying it looks so good. Keri

www.spitnglue.com
AMother'sEarth said…
Yum. You make it look easy! Visiting from SITS. Congrats on being FB!!
Happy SITS Day.

I am always looking for new recipes with pasta. I prefer white sauces to red tomato sauces, but my husband who is Italian and of course my kids love red sauces. I'm sure that will love this.

Stop by to say Hi sometimes. Maybe you can try one of my family recipes.
Jen said…
This looks so good, I think I'm drooling!

Stopping by from SITS. Have a great day!
Looks so good! Come by for a visit: http://www.teatimeconsultants.blogspot.com
Unknown said…
How did you do in the recipe contest? That is awesome : )
YUM- BTW I love your header.
Hannah said…
All your recipes look and sound great. And I can empathize with your mice problem. I have had two mice incidents in my life. One mouse ran across the kitchen floor (and yes, I got up on a chair) and years later I found a dead mouse in my basement. Ughh. I bought an electronic rodent repeller and so far ... no mice since !!!

www.FunnyPhotosContest.com Submit CUTE or FUNNY photos and tell friends to vote for them. No entry fee.
Penny said…
I'm going to print out this recipe and mail it to everyone I know and THEN invite myself over for dinner. One of them will get the hint, right?

Happy SITS Day, by the way!!!
Kekibird said…
Drool! This looks amazin!
Rita Barakat said…
I am a good eater but not a good cook! LOL!

happy sits day!