Manicotti Florentine ™

This is a great recipe for spring. 

I've used lean ground beef, but you can use turkey or even vegan meat or just use spinach if desired. 

 I've used fresh baby spinach which is easier to use than frozen.

2 c. fresh baby spinach

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper 
1 package Manicotti  noodles
2 c. ricotta cheese
1 - 1  1/2 c. Parmesan cheese (adjust to taste)
1 tsp each:  oregano, basil
1 - 2 T. olive oil
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
3 c. pasta sauce (homemade or jar)
Non stick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 F. 

Rinse and pat dry spinach. 

Cook noodles according to package. Drain in colander, set aside.

Spray non-stick cooking spray in baking dish, set aside. 

Heat saute pan over medium high heat. 

 Lower heat to medium and add meat, 1 clove garlic, 1/2  of oregano salt, pepper and basil. 

Brown meat for 6- 8 min. 

Drain meat,  set aside in bowl.  If using vegan meat or ground turkey, spray saute pan with cooking spray first. 

In same pan heat oil over medium. Add spinach and saute for 5 min. 

In a large mixing bowl combine; meat, spinach, ricotta cheese,  remaining oregano, salt, pepper, basil, garlic. Mix well. 

Pour 1 c. of sauce in bottom of baking dish. 

You can use a spoon to fill the noodles with the mixture. 

You can also fill the noodles by filling a baggie with the filling and snipping the end of the baggie to pipe the filling into the noodles.

Arrange filled noodles in baking dish. 

Pour remainder of sauce over noodles. 

Top noodles with Parmesan cheese. 

Bake for 30 min.

Serves 6.