Manicotti

12 large manicotti shells
4 C. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 C. ricotta cheese
2 T. dried basil (or 6 T. fresh chopped basil)
26 oz. jar spaghetti sauce, divided
½ C. Parmesan or Romano cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 13x9 baking dish. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water. Let pasta dry on paper towels. For filling, stir together 3 cups mozzarella with the ricotta and basil. Using a teaspoon, carefully stuff pasta shells with prepared cheese mixture. Spoon 2 cups spaghetti sauce into prepared baking dish. Arrange stuffed pasta over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over top of pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan or Romano and bake for 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately.

Tricks & Ideas
-Be sure to remember to rinse the pasta shells after draining or you will never get all the paper towel off!
-I added some leftover cooked ground sausage to the mixture.  I'll bet it would be great with little chunks of ham too.