YOU WILL NEED: HOMEMADE MARINARA SAUCE – Onion – Olive oil – Tomatoes – Tomato paste – Garlic – Italian seasoning – Red pepper flakes – Salt and pepper MANICOTTI – No-boil, oven-ready lasagna noodles or Manicotti noodles – Italian blend cheeses – Egg – Baby spinach – Black pepper and Salt
MAKE THE SAUCE: Over medium heat, sauté onion in a medium-sized saucepan until soft and fragrant. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian spices, and tomato paste. Sauté for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes combining all the sauce ingredients, simmering for about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
MAKE THE CHEESE FILLING: Reserve 1 cup of cheese to top the manicotti casserole. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta and the remaining 3 cups of cheese, egg, salt, pepper together. Add chopped spinach.