Recipe: Manicotti Florentine for the Microwave

MANICOTTI FLORENTINE FOR THE MICROWAVE

8 manicotti pasta tubes
FOR THE SAUCE:*
1 (29 oz) can tomatoes
1 (6 oz) can tomato Paste
1 cup chopped onion
4 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
FOR THE FILLING:
1 lb ground beef
3/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
3 eggs, slightly beaten
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (plus more for top, if desired)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Cook the manicotti tubes according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

TO PREPARE THE SAUCE:
Mix the ingredients for the sauce together in a 2-quart casserole. Cook, covered, in a in a microwave oven fore 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

TO PREPARE THE FILLING:
Put the meat and onions in a 1 1/2 quart covered casserole. Cover and microwave until all redness is gone from the meat, 5-7 minutes breaking up the meat and stirring twice. Drain fat from cooked meat.

Drain excess liquid from the spinach and set the liquid aside to add to sauce.

Mix together the meat, spinach, bread crumbs, eggs, olive oil, parmesan, salt, and pepper.

TO PREPARE THE MANICOTTI:
Stuff the filling gently into the cooked and drained manicotti. Place the manicotti in a single layer in a 2 quart (12x9-inch) rectangular casserole. Cover with the sauce. Cover loosely with waxed paper and cook 10 minutes in the microwave oven on high power. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle top with more parmesan cheese of desired.

*Prepared sauce may be used instead of the sauce recipe.

Servings: 4
Source: International Gourmet Cooking for the Microwave by Phe Laws