INGREDIENTS

1. 1largeonion, finely chopped
2. 2teaspoonsfresh garlic(no more than that or the garlic will overpower the other ingredients!)
3. 4tablespoonsoil
4. 1 1/2cupsricotta cheese
5. 1 1/2cups shreddedmozzarella cheese, divided(can use a bit more)
6. 4ouncescream cheese, softened
7. 6tablespoons gratedparmesan cheese(can use more!)
8. 1teaspoonitalian seasoning
9. salt and pepper
10. 1 (10 ounce)packagefrozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
11. 8manicotti, cooked and drained
12. 3cupspasta sauce(Kittencal’s Marinara Sauce or Kittencal’s Pasta Sauce With Parmesan Meatballs works well for this)
13. 1/4cupparmesan cheese(or to taste)
14. mozzarella cheese, for topping(any amount desired)

DIRECTIONS

1. Set oven to 350 degrees.
2. Butter a 13×9 baking dish.
3. In a skillet, saute onion 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 salt and 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; 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).
10. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (or to taste) over the sauce.
11. Cover, and bake for 25 minutes.
12. Uncover and top with mozzeralla cheese (any amount desired).
13. Bake 5 mins longer, or until cheese is melted.
14. Let stand 10 mins before serving.
15. Note; If desired, the spinach can be omitted completely.