Thursday, June 3, 2010

Hamburger Spinach Manicotti

This is a family favorite that I have made so much that I never really use a recipe anymore, so what I made and this recipe might be a little different, but not by much. I just sometimes use a different combination of herbs and/or cook-up onions and garlic with the meat. You can have all sorts of fun with this recipe!

Hamburger Spinach Manicotti

1 Box Manicotti noodles cooked according to package directions

Filling:
1 lb Browned Hamburger
1 package of frozen Spinach defrosted and drained
4 cups Cottage cheese
1 and 1/2 cup Mozzarella
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 Tbs Parsley
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper

Topping:
1 and 1/2 cup (14oz.) Spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup Mozzarella
1/4 cup Parmesan

Cook noodles according to package directions. Heat oven to 350. Grease 13x9x2-inch baking dish. In large bowl, stir all filling ingredients together; spoon into cooled pasta tubes. Spread 1/4 cup sauce in bottom of dish. Arrange pasta in a single layer. Pour rest of sauce over pasta. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Make Ahead Directions:
Prepare recipe as directed but do not bake. Cover with plastic wrap; then foil. Refrigerate up to 24 hrs or freeze up to 2 months. Remove plastic wrap; replace foil. Bake: Refrigerated/ Defrosted Manicotti at 350 for 40-50 minutes; Frozen Manicotti at 350 about 2 hours or until hot and bubbly.