Stuffed Beef Manicotti

Ingredients:

- 1/2 lb manicotti
- melted butter

- 1 onion, chopped
- 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 lb mushrooms, chopped (optional)

- 3/4 lb chopped lean beef, cooked and drained
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella or swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup soft bread crrumbs
- 1/2 egg, slightly beaten (full recipe calls for 1 egg)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

- 1 1/2 to 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cook the pasta in a large pot of water until half done (about 12 minutes). Drain and rinse in cold water. Return to pot and toss with a small amount of melted butter to prevent sticking.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown the onion and garlic lightly in the oil. Add the mushrooms and cook until wilted.

Blend the onion mixture with the beef, cheese, crumbs, egg, salt, oregano, and pepper.

Stuff the manicotti with the beef mixture.

Cover the bottom of a 7x11-inch pan with a thin layer of tomato sauce. Arrange a layer of the stuffed pasta on top. Cover lightly with more sauce and sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers if needed.

Bake for about 30 minutes.