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Spinach Manicotti
Pre-heat oven to 350.
Manicotti shells (packs of 12 usually)
1 lb. hamburger meat
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup onions
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
Sauce One:
2 cubes chicken bouillon
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup milk
1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley (can be omitted)
Sauce Two:
Any red sauce of your choice, can use storebought or homemade
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Mozerella Cheese
(can use more of each if you want)
Saute onions and garlic in butter, add hamburger meat and brown. (I sometimes don't use the full amount of butter, just enough to saute the onions and garlic to make it a little healthier).
Once fully cooked, allow hamburger meat to cool. Add in spinach, eggs, and ricotta cheese (you can leave out the hamburger meat and double the spinach and ricotta for a vegetarian dish). Mix well.
Cook manicotti shells according to directions on the package. I usually undercook them a little bit so they don't fall apart when stuffing them.
Sauce One (Can cook while shells are cooking):
Melt butter, and add bouillon cubes (I use granules, they seem to work a little better). Add millk and (sifted works best) flour after cubes disappear, mix well. Bring to a boil for 1 minute, or until it achieves a thick, but still pour-able level.
Stuff cooled sheels with spinach mixture, place in a greased 9x13 pan. Cover with the mixture of cheese, saving a little for the top. Pour over sauce one, then sauce two, then sprinkle some of the leftover cheese on top. Place in oven for 30-40 minutes, minding the cheese so it doesn't scorch.
Serves 10-12. Goes very well with garlic bread and italian caprese salad.
This takes about 30 minutes to prepare plus baking time, even though I have made it for years. I normally make and stuff the shells the night (or 2 nights!) before, and then add everything else when I am ready to serve it. You can also freeze leftovers and pop them into oven with a piece of aluminum foil covering it for a delicious dinner a bit later.
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