Mom's Manicotti

Years ago my Mom and I decided to try out making manicotti.  It was delicious.  Sad thing is we never wrote down the recipe.  So after a few tries and taste testers, I think I've finally got it pretty close.  This is a good one to make ahead of time and will freeze well.

Mom's Manicotti
1 (16 oz) carton Cottage Cheese
1 cup+ 1/2 cup shredded  Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup + 1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese.
1 teaspoon parsley
1 egg
1/2 pound cooked ground beef (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 slice of bread, broken into tiny pieces
8-10 Manicotti noodles
1 jar spaghetti or marinara sauce (My family's favorite in this dish is one with sausage.)

Cook noodles according to the package directions.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix all ingredients together except the 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese and 1 Tablespoon Parmesan cheese.
Stuff the cooked noodles with the mixture.
Pour a little of the spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a lightly greased  9x13 in pan. Just so it lightly covers the bottom.  Lay the stuffed shells in the dish.  Pour spaghetti sauce over top of them.  Sprinkle the remaining 1 Tablespoon of Parmesan over top and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.  Remover the foil and bake for 10 minutes more or until hot,bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Enjoy!