Spinach-Stuffed Manicotti with Vodka Blush Sauce

By CarolineNGa

Ingredients

• 1 1 1 box (8 oz) uncooked manicotti pasta shells (14 shells)
• 2 2 2 jars (25.5 oz each) Muir Glen™ organic garden vegetable pasta sauce
• 1/4 1/4 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 2 2 2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (8 oz)
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained, chopped
• 1 1 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
• 1 1 to box (9 oz) Green Giant™ frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain
• 2 2 2 tablespoons julienne-cut fresh basil leaves

Details

Servings 7
Preparation time 25mins
Cooking time 60mins
Adapted from bettycrocker.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta shells as directed on box. Rinse with cool water; drain.

2. Meanwhile, in 2-quart nonreactive saucepan, heat 1 jar of pasta sauce and the vodka to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in whipping cream. Set aside.

3. In medium bowl, mix 1 cup of the cheese blend, the sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta and spinach.

4. In ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, spread 1 cup of pasta sauce from second jar (save remaining sauce for another use). Fill each pasta shell with about 3 tablespoons ricotta mixture; place over sauce in dish. Pour vodka pasta sauce over filled shells.

5. Cover tightly with foil; bake 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbling. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese blend. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with basil.

Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 2 Shells - Serving Calories 420 ( Calories from Fat 130),

Total Fat 15g (Saturated Fat 7g, Trans Fat 0g ), Cholesterol 35mg Sodium 880mg Total Carbohydrate 48g (Dietary Fiber 6g Sugars 9g ), Protein 19g ; % Daily Value*: Vitamin A 90%; Vitamin C 20%; Calcium 60%; Iron 20%; Exchanges:3 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choices:3 *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.