Ricotta Manicotti with Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• Coarse salt and ground pepper (6-inch)
• 1 package (8 ounces) manicotti cooked, drained, and cooled
• 2 containers (15 ounces each) part-skim ricotta cheese
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 ounce dried mushrooms such as shiitake, soaked and drained, and finely chopped
• 4 cups Basic Tomato Sauce

Instructions

1. 1
   Cook pasta, drain, and cool. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together ricotta, eggs, thyme, oregano, and 1 cup Parmesan. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir in mushrooms.
2. 2
   Using a plastic bag for filling, stuff cooled pasta shells (about 3 tablespoons ricotta mixture in each). Coat bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with 2 cups tomato sauce.
3. 3
   Line up manicotti in baking dish, and cover with 2 cups sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan. Bake until bubbly, about 30 minutes.