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Cheese and Spinach Manicotti
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5:30 Challenge / 5 INGREDIENTS / 30 MINUTES
With winter's chill in the air, I find myself craving heartier offerings, like this baked pasta dish.
Make sure when using frozen spinach to remove stringy or tough stems and to squeeze out all excess water, blotting dry if necessary.
Parmesan cheese adds more flavor, but if you like it extra cheesy and gooey, substitute mozzarella.
-- Jeanne Besser
Hands on time: Total time: 30 minutes Serves: 6
Ingredients:
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12 manicotti shells
1 (15-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan or mozzarella cheese, divided use
1 (24-ounce) jar pasta sauce, divided use
Instructions:
Prepare manicotti shells according to package instructions until just al dente. Run under cool water and drain again.
Meanwhile, in a bowl combine ricotta, spinach and 1 cup cheese until well-blended.
In a microwave-safe baking pan, spread 1/2 cup sauce. Stuff shells with filling (it is easier to put a few tablespoons of the filling on one side and then the other instead of pushing it down the pasta tube). Layer the filled manicotti in the baking pan, stacking if necessary. Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
Cover with microwavable plastic wrap and microwave on high for 10 to 15 minutes, turning twice if not on a carousel.
Meanwhile, in a bowl combine ricotta, spinach and 1 cup cheese until well-blended.
In a microwave-safe baking pan, spread 1/2 cup sauce. Stuff shells with filling (it is easier to put a few tablespoons of the filling on one side and then the other instead of pushing it down the pasta tube). Layer the filled manicotti in the baking pan, stacking if necessary. Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
Cover with microwavable plastic wrap and microwave on high for 10 to 15 minutes, turning twice if not on a carousel.
Notes:
Check your microwave to see what size baking pan fits before assembling the dish, making sure there's clearance for rotation if you have a carousel. You can use a 13-by-9-inch, an 11 1/2-by-8-inch or an 8-by-8-inch microwave-safe baking pan and just layer the shells if necessary to accommodate them all. Alternatively, if you have a few extra minutes, use your oven.
To make the meal: Mixed green salad and Italian bread
To make the meal: Mixed green salad and Italian bread
Nutrition:
Per serving: 338 calories (percent of calories from fat, 28), 25 grams protein, 36 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 10 grams fat (6 grams saturated), 43 milligrams cholesterol, 1,172 milligrams sodium.
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