Manicotti Twice Over

I have here 2 different types of manicotti Ricotta spinach and cheesy ground beef

This was my first try making manicotti and it wont be my last, extremely tasty.

Sauce Ingredients

1 box (12 tubes) of dry manicotti

2 cups shredded mozzarella

2 cans tomato sauce

3/4 cup shredded mozzarella

2 tbsp Italian seasoning

1 tbsp Garlic

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1. set aside manicotti for filling and mozzarella for topping

2. combine tomato sauce and spices and bring to a low simmer

Spinach Ricotta Filling (will fill 1/2 box of manicotti)

4 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained

250 grams ricotta

1/4 cup parmesan

1/2 cup shredded gruyere

dash of nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

1. mix all ingredients together and pipe into uncooked manicotti tubes. piping is easiest howver a small teaspoon will work as well. fill till all the air gaps are gone and place into casserole dish*

Ground beef filling (will fill 1/2 box of manicotti)

1/2 lbs ground beef

2 tbsp italian seasoning

1 tbsp garlic

1 cup gruyere/mozza

1. season and cook beef in a large skillet.

2. move cooked beef into a medium mixing bowl and add shredded cheese

3. spoon into manicotti, capping the end with your thumb to press beef in tightly to push out air pockets

Cooking manicotti

1. preheat oven to 350

2. place a thin layer of tomato sauce on bottom of a 9x12 casserole dish

3. place filled manicotti tubes on top of sauce

4. pour the rest of the sauce over manicotti tubes

5. cover with a generous layer of mozzarella

6. cover dish with tin foil and bae for 25 minutes

7. remove foil and bae until mozzarella begins to brown.

8. serve, garnish with basil and parmesan cheese if desired