Kittencal's Spinach & Four-cheese Manicotti (vegetarian)

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped (optional)
• 2 teaspoons fresh garlic (no more than that or the garlic will overpower the other ingredients!)
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (can use a bit more)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (can use more)
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• salt (to taste i use seasoned salt)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach (cooked according to package directions, then hand-squeezed dry to remove excess moisture)
• 8 manicotti, cooked and drained (you might use more shells so i would cook 10)
• 4 -6 cups marinara sauce (see my kittencal's marinara pasta sauce (vegetarian))
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (or to taste)
• mozzarella cheese, for topping (any amount desired)

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350 degrees f.
• 2 butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• 3 in a skillet, saute onion (if using) in oil for about 4 minutes or until softened (adding in the garlic the last 2 minutes).
• 4 in a mixing bowl combine the ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cup mozza cheese, cream cheese, 6 tablespoons parmesan cheese, italian seasoning; beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and well combined.
• 5 season with white salt or seasoned salt and black pepper to taste.
• 6 stir in onion mixture and spinach; mix well to combine.
• 7 spoon into cooked and cooled manicotti shells.
• 8 pour half of the pasta sauce into the prepared baking dish.
• 9 arrange shells over sauce (at this point you may cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, or continue with the recipe as follows).
• 10 top with the remaining sauce, use a spoon to spread the sauce over the shells (the sauce does not have to cover the shells completely).
• 11 sprinkle about 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (or to taste) over the sauce.
• 12 cover and bake for 25 minutes.
• 13 uncover and top with mozzeralla cheese (any amount desired).
• 14 bake 5 mins longer, or until cheese is melted.
• 15 let stand 10 mins before serving.
• 16 note; if desired the spinach can be omitted completely.