Sausage Cheese Manicotti Recipe

Ingredients

• 10 uncooked manicotti shells
• 8 ounces turkey Italian sausage links, casings removed
• 1 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 egg whites
• 3 cups (24 ounces) fat-free cottage cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 cups meatless spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 cup water

Directions

• Cook manicotti according to package directions. Meanwhile, crumble sausage into a nonstick skillet; add the red pepper and onion. Cook over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain. Drain manicotti; set aside.
• In a bowl, combine the sausage mixture, egg whites, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, fennel and pepper. Stuff into manicotti shells. Combine spaghetti sauce and water; spread 1/2 cup in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Arrange shells over sauce; top with remaining sauce.
• Cover and bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Yield: 5 servings.

Sausage Cheese Manicotti published in Light & Tasty October/November 2002, p9