Delicious Spinach Manicotti with Italian Sausage

Indulge in the flavors of Italy with this scrumptious Spinach Manicotti recipe. Stuffed with a mixture of creamy ricotta cheese, spinach, and Italian sausage, and smothered in a rich marinara sauce, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings. It's the perfect meal for a cozy dinner at home or for entertaining guests. With a simple preparation process and a cook time of just 45 minutes, you'll have a delicious and filling dish on the table in no time. Give this recipe a try and transport yourself to the heart of Italy!

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 4 cups marinara sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the manicotti shells according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
3. In a large skillet, crumble the Italian sausage and cook over medium heat until browned. Remove the sausage from the skillet and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
4. In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
5. Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the sausage mixture cool slightly.
7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled sausage mixture, thawed spinach, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten eggs, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until well combined.
8. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce onto the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
9. Using a small spoon or your fingers, carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the sausage and spinach mixture. Place the filled shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
10. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the filled manicotti shells, making sure all the shells are coated.
11. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
12. Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the manicotti.
13. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
14. Remove from the oven and let the manicotti rest for a few minutes before serving.
15. Serve the Spinach Manicotti with Italian Sausage hot and garnish with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

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