Spinach Manicotti

This is a delicious Italian recipe that takes a few minutes to prepare, but the results are wonderful.

Spinach Manicotti

1 -8oz pkg manicotti
1 carton ricotta cheese
1 pkg frozen spinach, frozen and squeezed dry
1 pkg (2 cups) freshly grated Italian mix cheese (I used a mix of parmesan, asiago, mozzarella, romano)
2 eggs
3/4 lb ground chuck, browned and drained
salt and pepper to taste
1 jar pasta sauce

Cook manicotti according to package directions. Drain carefully in a colander and allow to cool. Combine ground chuck, spinach, eggs, ricotta cheese, and 1/2 of the grated Italian cheese. Spread a small amount of the pasta sauce into a 15 x 10 inch baking dish.

Carefully stuff each manicotti with the meat and cheese mixture by hand. (There is enough of the filling for about 11 manicotti). Place on top of the sauce. Pour remaining sauce over the manicotti and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Spread a small amount of sauce in your baking dish:

Drain and cool the pasta:

Stuff by hand. The pasta can tear during this process sometimes. Don't worry. Just turn the split side down. It still tastes the same.

Place over sauce:
Pour on remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheese:

Bake 30 minutes. The cheese will be yummy and golden:

I served it with french bread and a green salad.