spinach manicotti with italian sausage

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 (9 ounce) bag fresh spinach
• 1 pound bulk italian sausage
• 1 (24 ounce) carton small curd cottage cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 12 manicotti shells
• 2 (24 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ready Time: 1 hr 30 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c).
• bring a pot of water to a boil and immerse spinach in the boiling water until dark green and softened, about 2 minutes. drain and squeeze out excess moisture.
• cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes, stirring often. drain excess grease. combine spinach and sausage in a bowl. mix cottage cheese and 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese into sausage and spinach, stirring until filling is thoroughly combined.
• use your fingers to stuff uncooked manicotti shells with stuffing. lay stuffed manicotti into a baking dish, side by side, and pour both jars of sauce over manicotti.
• bake in the preheated oven until manicotti are tender but still slightly firm to the bite and the filling is hot, 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. sprinkle remaining 4 ounces of mozzarella cheese over the dish, let the cheese melt, and serve.