Spinach and cheese manicotti

How to Make

• 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,