Manicotti with Italian Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta

Name: Manicotti with Italian Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 12 pieces manicotti shells; 1 pound Italian sausage; 15 oz ricotta cheese; 10 oz frozen spinach; 2 cups mozzarella cheese; 0.5 cup parmesan cheese; 3 cups marinara sauce; 1 large egg; 3 cloves garlic; 0.5 medium onion; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Classic Italian stuffed pasta tubes filled with a rich mixture of Italian sausage, spinach, and creamy ricotta cheese, baked in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella.

PREP

COOK

MIN

Serves 4mediumItalian

Ingredients

pantry

12 piecesmanicotti shells
3 cupsmarinara sauce
1 teaspoonItalian seasoning
0.5 teaspoonsalt
0.25 teaspoonblack pepper

meat

1 poundItalian sausage— sweet or mild, casings removed

dairy

15 ozricotta cheese
2 cupsmozzarella cheese— shredded, divided
0.5 cupparmesan cheese— grated
1 largeegg

frozen

10 ozfrozen spinach— thawed and drained

produce

3 clovesgarlic— minced
0.5 mediumonion— diced

Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook manicotti shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
2
In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
3
Add diced onion and minced garlic to the sausage. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onion is softened.
4
Squeeze excess water from thawed spinach and add to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
5
In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
6
Add the cooled sausage and spinach mixture to the ricotta mixture and stir until well combined.
7
Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
8
Using a piping bag or spoon, carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the ricotta-sausage mixture. Arrange stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish.
9
Pour remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
10
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Italiancomfort foodbaked pastafamily dinnermake-ahead friendly