Easy Manicotti
Makes 7 servings
Getting started Equipment you will need: mixing bowl, spoon, 13 x 9-inch baking dish Preheat oven to 375° Do right away when you get home:
Ingredients
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 (16 oz) carton low-fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

14 manicotti shells

Cooking spray

1 (26 oz) jar tomato-basil pasta sauce

1 cup water

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Action:

1. Thaw, drain and squeeze dry spinach. Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Spoon 3 tablespoons of cheese mixture into each uncooked manicotti.

3.Coat 13 x 9-in baking dish with cooking spray. Pour half of pasta sauce into dish. Arrange stuffed shells in a single layer over sauce and top with the remaining sauce. Pour water into dish.
4. Sprinkle cheese evenly over sauce. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 1 hour or until shells are tender. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Suggested Side Items: mixed greens and milk

Tips: To decrease the sodium content of this recipe, omit the salt and use a lower sodium pasta sauce. The types of cheese used in this recipe are lower in sodium compared to most other cheeses.

Shopping list: Shredded mozzarella cheese Grated Parmesan cheese Tomato-basil pasta sauce Low-fat cottage cheese (16 oz) Manicotti shells (14 shells or 8 oz package) Frozen chopped spinach (10 oz)

Check for: Dried oregano Black pepper Salt Cooking spray