Healthy Manicotti

• lean ground beef↗1 lb
• chopped onion1 cup

  (about 1 large)

• garlic cloves, crushed↗2
• whole tomatoes, undrained↗1 can (28 ounce)
• sliced mushrooms or mushroom stems and pieces1 cup
• fresh parsley↗1⁄4 cup
• chopped fresh basil or dried basil leaves1 tablespoon
• fennel seed1 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• low fat cottage cheese↗2 cup
• grated parmesan cheese1⁄3 cup
• ground nutmeg↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• pepper↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained2 package (10 ounce)
• uncooked manicotti↗14
• tablespoons grated parmesan cheese2

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat oven 350 degrees.

2. 2

   Cook ground beef, onion and garlic in 10-in nonstick skillet, stirring frequently, until beef is brown; drain.

3. 3

   Stir in tomatoes, mushrooms, parsley, basil, fennel seed and salt; break up tomatoes.

4. 4

   Heat to boiling; reduce heat.

5. 5

   Cover and Simmer 10 minutes.

6. 6

   Spoon about 1/3 if the beef mixture into ungreased rectangular baking dish, 13X9X2 inches.

7. 7

   Mix cottage cheese, 1/3 Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, pepper, and spinach.

8. 8

   Fill uncooked manicotti shells with spinach mixture.

9. 9

   Place shells on beef mixture in baking dish.

10. 10

    Pour remaining beef mixture over shells, covering shells completely.

11. 11

    Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.

12. 12

    Cover and bake 1 1/2 hours or until manicotti shells are tender.