Spinach & Cheese Manicotti

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. of 10 manicotti noodles
• 227 g fresh ricotta cheese
• 1 1/4 Cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 283 g fresh washed spinach
• 1/4 Cup water
• 1/3 Cup minced shallots
• 2 tbsp margarine
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• dash of salt
• dash of pepper
• 370 ml marinara sauce (1/2 jar)

Preparation

1. Place noodles in boiling water, stirring occasionally until barely soft.
2. Rinse noodles in cold water, then cover in cold water and set aside.
3. Chop spinach and boil in pot with water until wilted (a few minutes) stirring constantly.
4. Drain spinach, squeezing excess liquid out with spoon against side of pot.
5. Add shallots and margarine, return to medium heat and sauté until margarine is absorbed by spinach.
6. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta and 1 Cup of the parmesan cheese.
7. Mix in eggs, spinach mixture, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
8. Pour about 1/4 of the marinara sauce in the bottom of an 8" x 11" baking dish.
9. With each noodle, cup one end in your hand to keep the filling from leaking out, use a small spoon to fill the noodle with the mixture and place in the baking dish (do not stack).
10. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the noodles.
11. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese and bake at 400° F for 15 minutes.
12. Remove and let stand 5 minutes before serving.