Super Sunday and Meaty Manicotti!!

What a beautiful Sunday! I'd like to give thanks to my Heavenly Father for the Joy that He provides in my life!

My most important message to you today would be to stop trying to find your happiness through all of the worldly things... turn your focus toward God. This is the only way to find pure joy.

Now.. I know I mentioned yesterday that I wanted to work on my "projects" today- - BUT, when hubby says "let's go to the beach," I am packed and into the car in a New York minute. (now that's fast). But, I did accomplish something yummy today, and I'd like to share it with you.

Who wants Meaty Manicotti?? I DO!

Here is your recipe:

1 lb. loose sausage (I bought 2 pounds to use some for breakfast and cook some ahead for homemade pizzas this week)
1 lb. ground beef
lg. jar of your favorite spagetti sauce (or homemade if your talented like that!)
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 c. ricotta cheese
1/2 t. salt
Dash Pepper
Parmesan Cheese
Manicotti Shells (I made two boxes)

1. Cook hamburger and sausage until browned.



2. Put meat in a bowl, and add remaining ingredients.


3. Mix well.


4. Cook Manicotti shells as directed on the box.


5. Spread sauce in the bottom of your casserole dish. (I am using a meat sauce I had leftover in the fridge.)


6. Once your shells are done, rinse in cool water for easier handling. Then stuff them with your meat/cheese mixture.


7. Once your pan is full of stuffed manicotti shells, pour sauce over the top, and sprinkle on parmesan cheese.


8. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 5 or 10 minutes.

**As you can see, I made two pans of manicotti. The men in our house love meat. The girls on the other hand, only like cheese. SO... I stuffed most of the smaller pan with cheese only manicotti. If you want to make some cheese only, here is how I made the cheese stuffing:

Mixed the remaining ricotta cheese from the container(about 16 oz.) with a half cup of cottage cheese and a cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Add one egg, a dash of pepper and a pinch of salt. Stir and stuff into shells.



9. Serve with garlic toast and salad! (Hubby said he liked this better than lasagna!)

My audience approves...


(actually he's just hoping I drop something...)