Hearty Manicotti

HEARTY MANICOTTI

1 lb. Italian sweet sausage links
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 - 16 oz. cans tomato puree
1 - 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. parsley, chopped
basil
salt
1 - 8 oz. package manicotti shells
4 cups ricotta cheese
1 - 8 oz. package mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese

In a covered 5 quart Dutch oven, over medium heat, in 1/4 cup water, cook sausage links 5 minutes. Uncover, brown, drain well on paper towel. Spoon fat from Dutch oven, over medium heat brown ground beef and onions, stir in tomato puree, paste, sugar, pepper, 1 tsp. basil, 1 tsp. salt, & 1 cup water; simmer, covered for 45 minutes. Cut sausage into bite-size pieces; add to mixture and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook manicotti as label directs; drain. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine ricotta and mozzarella (diced) cheeses, parsley, 3/4 tsp. basil, 1/2 tsp. salt; stuff into shells. Spoon half of meat sauce into 13" x 9" baking dish. Place half of shells over sauce in one layer. Spoon remaining sauce, except 3/4 cup, over shells, top with remaining shells in one layer. Spoon reserved meat sauce over top. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake 30 minutes.

Yield: 8 main dish servings