Spinach Manicotti

I have always loved Manicotti. Tonight, I was craving Spinach Manicotti and since we have been eating mostly chicken lately, this was the perfect way to mix up our menu. Even without the meat this dish leaves you with a full and happy belly. I added a red pepper to the mix tonight simply because I had one.

Ingredients

1 (8 oz) box Manicotti Noodles
1 tsp Garlic, minced
1 (8 ounce) package Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 Tsp Italian seasoning
15 oz Ricotta
1 Egg, beaten
1/2 cup Red Pepper, chopped (optional)
1 package frozen Spinach, thawed, drained
1 (24 oz)jar Pasta Sauce (any kind)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Cook Manicotti according to package instructions. Drain. 
3. In a large bowl, stir in Garlic, 1 1/2 cup Mozzarella, Italian seasoning, Ricotta, and Egg. Mix well.
4. Stir in Red Peppers and Spinach until well blended.
5. Spread 1 cup of Pasta sauce on the bottom of an ungreased 13x9 baking dish.
6. Spoon mixture into Manicotti noodles. Place the noodles over the sauce. Pour remaining sauce over the Manicotti.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover, add remaining Mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.


Quick Tips: 

• You may also want to try the technique of putting the mixture in a large ziploc bag and cutting off one corner hole in it for an easier way to fill the Manicotti noodles.
• For a quicker and just as delicious alternative, you can substitute Jumbo Shells for the Manicotti noodles to make stuffed shells.  

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