Cheese And Spinach Manicotti With Meat Sauce
Prep Time:
1 hour
Cook Time:
45 minutes
Servings:
Ingredients
  • 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 10 ounce mozzarella cheese, grated
  • 2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped red or green pepper
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 box (15 ounces) manicotti shells
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 pound ground chuck
  • 1/2 pound hot italian sausage (remove from casing)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup red wine
  • 3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
  1. Step 1: For filling, thaw 2 packages frozen spinach. Squeeze out all water by pressing spinach in colander with the back of your hand or wooden spoon. Put in large mixing bowl. Add 2 cloves garlic, 2 onions, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1 cup of the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 cup red pepper, 1/4 cup parsley, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon salt.1 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Using wooden spoon, mix to blend thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Cook 1 box manicotti according to package directions. Drain. Gently toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap. Set aside.
  3. Step 1: For tomato and meat sauce, cook 1/2 pound ground chuck and 1/2 pound sausage in large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Drain off all fat.
  4. Step 2: Stir in 1 can tomato puree, 1/4 cup tomato paste, 1/4 cup red wine, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat to boil over high heat. Cook 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Add meat, stir to mix. Remove from heat.
  5. Step 3: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil bottom of 13- by 9-inch ovenproof baking pan or dish with 1 tablespoon oil. Set aside.
  6. Step 4: Mix remaining mozzarella and ricotta and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese until well blended. Reserve.
  7. Step 5: Gently fill manicotti with spinach and cheese filling. Lay in baking pan side by side. Spoon meat sauce over all. Cover with foil.
  8. Step 6: Bake 30 minutes. Uncover. Spoon ricotta cheese mixture in dollops over pasta. Return to oven. Cook 10 minutes or until cheese topping is slightly brown.