STUFFED MANICOTTI

Steps:

• In a saucepan, sauté onion, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until tender. Stir in all remaining sauce ingredients bring to a boil. Reduce heat cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover simmer 10-15 minutes longer or until as thick as desired. Meanwhile, for manicotti, cook beef, onion and garlic in a skillet until the meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain cool slightly. Squeeze spinach thoroughly to remove excess water add to the skillet with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix well. Refrigerate 1-1/2 cups of the sauce (makes 4 cups) for another recipe. Pour 1 cup of the remaining sauce into a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Stuff manicotti with the meat mixture arrange over the sauce. Pour another 1-1/2 cups of sauce on top. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and remaining Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.© Copyright Reiman Publications, 1993-1997