Manicotti with spinach, cheese and mushrooms

By LizY-2

I love to share my new found recipes and variations. I this made for Valentine's day dinner and all enjoyed. My favorite part is the mushrooms sautéed in the garlic. This kids didn't realize they were eating spinach and mushrooms!
If you like more filling in your noodles, increase the filling ingredients

Ingredients

• 1 box of manicotti (usually 12 -14 tubes) (When your shopping for these, gently roll the box and listen for broken tubes)
• 1 24 oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 clove fresh garlic, chopped or 2 T minced
• 1 1/2 cup or 12 oz fresh ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cup or 12 oz fresh mushrooms of your choice-chopped
• salt & pepper to your taste
• 1 T your favorite italian seasoning
• 8-12 oz fresh spinach
• 2 cups of your favorite Italian blend shredded cheese
• Optional*** 1 pound of your favorite ground burger (beef, sausage or turkey). Mix with your pasta sauce

Details

Preparation time 30mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat Oven to 400
2. Cook manicotti in boiling water for about 7 minutes. Don't over cook! They will be too tender to hold the filling otherwise.
3. Heat oil with garlic, before it turns yellow add mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Cook till tender and brown. When done, remove from heat and set aside
4. Steam spinach, chop well
5. Mix ricotta, mushrooms, spinach, salt & pepper to taste, Italian seasoning and 1 cup of your shredded italian cheese
6. Fill manicotti tubes.
7. in a 9x13 pan (greased if using glass) layer half pasta sauce, place your filled manicotti, top with remaining pasta sauce and desired amount remaining shredded cheese.
8. cover with foil, bake 30 minutes.
9. Let sit for a few minutes before dishing out
10. Serve with fresh garlic toast and crisp salad!