Baked Manicotti

Baked Manicotti

By America's Test Kitchen

Tomato Sauce
• 2 28 oz. cans diced tomatoes in juice
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• salt
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
Cheese Filling and Pasta
• 3 c. part-skim ricotta cheese
• 4 oz. grated Parmesan cheese (2 c.)
• 8 oz mozzarella, shredded (2 c)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 16 no-boil lasagna noodles (we like Barilla brand)

For the sauce, pulse the cans of tomatoes in a food processor/blender until coarsely chopped. The flavor in the diced tomatoes is better than the crushed tomatoes, but it requires this extra step.
Heat the oil, garlic and pepper flakes in a large sauce pan over medium heat until fragrant but not brown--1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and 1/2 tsp salt and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened slightly. Then add the basil and season with salt to taste.

For the filling, mix all the cheese, eggs, salt, pepper and herbs in a medium bowl. Set aside.

To Assemble pour 1 inch boiling water into a 9x13 pan and lay the noodles in there, one at a time. Let them soak for 5 minutes, until pliable. It is important that you use "no bake" lasagna noodles or this won't work. Remove the noodles and place on a clean towel in a single layer. Dry the baking dish.
Spread the bottom of the baking dish with 1 1/2 c. tomato sauce. Using a spoon, spread 1/4 c. cheesy filling evenly on the bottom 3/4 of each noodle, leaving the top quarter exposed. Roll the noodle into a tube shape and arrange in the baking dish, seam-side down. Do all 16, then top evenly with the remaining sauce, making sure the pasta is completely covered.
Cover the manicotti with aluminum foil, bake about 40 minutes. Remove the foil, and sprinkle with 1 c. parmesan cheese. Broil until the cheese is spotty brown, 4-6 minutes. Cool 15 minutes then serve.
This is also delicious with a little bit of prosciutto on each noodle, or chopped up and mixed in with the cheese. We've also put a spinach leaf or two on each noodle before the cheese to make ourselves feel better about how unhealthy but delicious this is.