Spinach Manicotti

Recipe from KayAnna G. Tennant

12 – 16 manicotti shells
1 lb ground beef
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
½ small onion, chopped fine
1 garlic clove, crushed
1-10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed squeezed dry
2 C ricotta cheese
4 C Mozzarella cheese, divided
1-26 oz jar spaghetti sauce
½ C Parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350°.  Coat a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and rinse with cool water.  Brown ground beef and drain.  Sauté onions and aril in 2 tbsp of butter or margarine until tender.  Add spinach and heat until all moisture is absorbed.  Transfer to a large bowl.  Add 2 c of Ricotta cheese and 2 c of Mozzarella cheese.  Mix ingredients together well.

Stuff each shell with mix, packing firmly.  Pour a little of the spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.  Lay Manicotti side-by-side in the sauce.  Top with remaining sauce.  Sprinkle with remaining Mozzarella cheese and bake for 15 minutes.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, bake 15 minutes more and serve.  Makes 6 – 8 servings.