Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta filled Manicotti

After years of my pasta dishes stretching only as far as ziti and the occasional stuffed shells, I wanted to branch out this weekend. I found this recipe on a blog I love and decided to give it a try. The slight variations are based on personal flavor preference and the fact that all the shells were broken at the store so I tried manicotti. This recipe made 2 9x13 inch trays so I would suggest either adapting it or being ready for left overs!

Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta Filled Manicotti
Source: Minimally adapted from Annie's Eats

Ingredients

2 packages Manicotti (had 5 left over that I did not have enough filling for)

Olive oil

1 cup finely chopped yellow onion

1 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed

3 cloves minced garlic

2 large eggs

15-oz. container ricotta cheese (more if you like cheesy stuffed shells/manicotti)

6-7 oz. fresh spinach, chopped

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Italian seasoning to spice (any combo of basil, oregano etc you like)

1/4 cup bread crumbs

2 cans crushed or diced tomatoes (depends on how you like your sauce - I used chunky crushed)

Directions

1) Cook pasta as per the directions, rinse with cold water and spread out on aluminium foil to avoid sticking

2) Saute onions in olive oil until softened and lightly browned. Add sausage mixing frequently to break into small pieces. Cook sausage completely and then add garlic.

3) In a bowl mix ricotta, eggs, spinach, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs and spices. Add the sausage/onion mix and combine.

4) Heat the diced/crushed tomatoes and spice as you like it (I add some Italian spices, salt and pepper).

5) Spread a layer of sauce on the bottom of the 9x13 containers, fill the manicotti and lay in the dish. Cover with another layer of sauce.

6) Bake covered in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes. Uncover, top with the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese and bake for 10 minutes.

We served this with home made garlic bread and a salad of spinach topped with apple, pear and walnuts. Enjoy!