Step 1

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees.

Step 2

Make the sauce. My easy homemade marinara uses basic pantry ingredients and is ready in about 15 minutes! The taste is incomparable to store-bought (but I wont judge if you're in a pinch and need to use the jarred stuff).

Step 3

Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, and herbs; set aside.

Step 4

Prepare noodles: Pour 1 inch boiling water into a large casserole dish . Add dry noodles, a few at a time, allowing them to soak until pliable, about 5 minutes. Use a fork to help separate the noodles if needed, to prevent them from sticking together. Remove noodles from water and place in single layer on a plate.

Step 5

Assemble: Spread bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish evenly with 1 1/2 cups red sauce. Place one pliable noodle in front of you and scoop ab out 1/4 cup cheese mixture in a line along the bottom short end. Roll all the way up into tube shape and arrange in baking dish seam side down. (You should be able to fit 8 manicotti in each row, allowing all 16 to fit in the dish).

Step 6

Bake: Pour remaining red sauce over the filled pasta. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 40 minutes, until bubbly. Remove cover and sprinkle on remaining 1 cup Parmesan. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.