Cheese Spinach Manicotti

Name: Cheese Spinach Manicotti
Prep time: 55 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 7 servings
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 1 large onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce; 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste; 1-1/2 cups water; 1/2 cup dry red wine or vegetable broth; 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning; 2 teaspoons sugar; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; FILLING:; 1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese; 1-1/4 cups 2% cottage cheese; 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells; 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Total Time Prep: 55 min. Bake: 55 min.

Yield 7 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

No one will even miss the meat in this hearty, delicious meal. Cream cheese and cottage cheese beef up the filling and give this lasagna-like dish a creamy base. —Julie Lower, Katy, Texas

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup dry red wine or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese
1-1/4 cups 2% cottage cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, wine, Italian seasoning, sugar and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, for filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the cottage cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, eggs and salt.
Stuff cream cheese mixture into uncooked manicotti shells. Spread 1 cup sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spay. Arrange manicotti over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over top.
Cover and bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until pasta is tender. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts

2 manicotti: 389 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 722mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein.

No one will even miss the meat in this hearty, delicious meal. Cream cheese and cottage cheese beef up the filling and give this lasagna-like dish a creamy base. —Julie Lower, Katy, Texas

Recipe Creator