- 1 (9 ounce) bag fresh spinach
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
- 1 (24 ounce) carton small curd cottage cheese
- 1 (12 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 12 manicotti shells
- 2 (24 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and immerse spinach in the boiling water until dark green and softened, about 2 minutes. Drain and squeeze out excess moisture.
- Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes, stirring often. Drain excess grease. Combine spinach and sausage in a bowl. Mix cottage cheese and 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese into sausage and spinach, stirring until filling is thoroughly combined.
- Use your fingers to stuff uncooked manicotti shells with stuffing. Lay stuffed manicotti into a baking dish, side by side, and pour both jars of sauce over manicotti.
- Bake in the preheated oven until manicotti are tender but still slightly firm to the bite and the filling is hot, 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 4 ounces of mozzarella cheese over the dish, let the cheese melt, and serve.