Native Ormocana Cooking: Manicotti Alla Romana

Here's what I cooked for Monday dinner. This is an Italian pasta dish.

PREP TIME: 1 Hr
COOK TIME: 50 Min
READY IN: 1 Hr 50 Min

Servings for 2

INGREDIENTS

1-3/4 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons and 3/4 teaspoon chopped onion
1-3/4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
5 ounces ground beef
3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1/4 (12 ounce) package manicotti shells
1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
5/8 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup and 1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons spaghetti sauce, divided
1-3/4 teaspoons butter

1-3/4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1-3/4 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon half-and-half
1 tablespoon and 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons and 3/4 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1.) Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions until translucent. Saute garlic for 1 minute and stir in ground beef. Cook until well browned and crumbled. Season with salt and set aside to cool.
2.) Cook spinach according to package directions. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add manicotti shells and parboil for half of the time recommended on

the package. Drain and cover with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent the shells from cracking.
3.) To the ground beef mixture add the cooked spinach and ricotta cheese. When the mixture is cool, add the beaten eggs. Spread 1/4 cup spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Gently drain the manicotti shells and carefully stuff each one with the meat and cheese mixture; place shells in prepared dish. Lightly cover the dish with plastic wrap or a clean, damp towel to prevent shells from cracking.
4.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
5.) Prepare the white sauce by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and chicken bouillon. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until it begins to bubble. Stir in half and half and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Pour or ladle the sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
6.) Stir the basil into the remaining spaghetti sauce. Carefully pour or ladle spaghetti sauce over the white sauce, trying to layer the sauces without mixing.