"My newly married daughter didn't want to ask her mother-in-law for the recipe to her husband's favorite meal," writes Donna Moyer of Grants Pass, Oregon. "Instead, she asked me to help her figure out a recipe. Together, we cam up with this delicious stick-to-the-ribs casserole. It's so easy, today my 4-year-old granddaughter stuffs the pasta shells herself!"
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1-1/2 cups 4% cottage cheese
- 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 10 uncooked manicotti shells
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
- 1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
- 3/4 cup water
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, egg, oregano and garlic; stuff into uncooked manicotti shells. Place in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish.
- Crumble sausage into a large skillet; cook over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce; pour over manicotti. Pour water along sides of pan.
- Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake 5-8 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
