Meaty Spinach Manicotti
Taste of Home
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This hearty stuffed pasta dish will feed a crowd. Tangy tomato sauce tops manicotti that's filled with a mouth-watering blend of Italian sausage, chicken, spinach and mozzarella cheese. Be prepared to share the recipe!
SERVINGS: 14-16
CATEGORY: Main Dish
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 45 min.
Ingredients:
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) manicotti shells
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2-1/2 cups milk
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
- 4 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey
- 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 2 jars (26 ounces each) spaghetti sauce
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
Directions:
Cook manicotti according to package directions. Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in the flour until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted; set aside. Drain manicotti; set aside.
In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the chicken, spinach, eggs, mozzarella cheese and 3/4 cup white sauce. Stuff into manicotti shells.
Spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce in each of two ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dishes. Top with manicotti. Pour remaining spaghetti sauce over the top.
Reheat the remaining white sauce, stirring constantly. Pour over spaghetti sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45-50 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley. Yield: 14-16 servings.