Spinach and cheese manicotti

Sauce

Step 1

Heat oil in large pot, add onion for 6-8 minutes stirring occasionally

Step 2

Add the butter and garlic, cook until fragrant

Step 3

Add tomato paste and stir in with garlic and onions, cook four minutes

Step 4

Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, crushed pepper, and basil. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low

Step 5

Simmer covered for 30 minutes, remove lid and continue simmering for 1 hour until sauce is thick. Season to taste and discard basil sprig.

Step 6

Spinach

Step 7

If using fresh spinach rinse and place in large pot. heat and turn regularly until spinach wilts. dry and chop after squeezing out moisture

Step 8

If using frozen . squeeze out moisture and chop.

Step 9

Cheese filling

Step 10

Mix ricotta, mozzarella, eggs, basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a large bowl until smooth

Step 11

Add spinach and stir to combine. refrigerate until needed

Step 12

Step 13

Manicotti.

Step 14

You can parboil for 5 minutes, draining and rinsing in cold water or use as is Its easier to use parboiled

Step 15

Preheat oven to 350

Step 16

Add half the pasta sauce to the bottom of a 9 by 13 pan . set aside

Step 17

Stuff the manicotti with a large spoon or piping bag. Fill completely but do not over-stuff. They will split

Step 18

Place in pan until all are stuffed

Step 19

Spoon 1-2 cups sauce on top, sprinkle with mozzarella and cover with foil. Bake for 40 minutes then uncover for five,