1-First, cook the manicotti pasta tubes in salted water as per package instructions, or cook them a bit less if you’re planning to assemble ahead. This step ensures the pasta holds up well during baking without getting too soft.

2-Next, remove the casings from the Italian sausage and cook it with the finely diced onion until it’s browned and fragrant. Once that’s done, add the 2 cups chopped fresh spinach and cook until it wilts; drain off any extra liquid to keep things from getting watery.

3-After the mixture cools, stir in 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, the slightly beaten egg, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. This creates a hearty filling that’s easy to stuff into the pasta.

4-Prepare your baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray and spreading 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce on the bottom. Drain the pasta, then stuff each manicotti tube with the sausage mixture and arrange them in the dish. Add any leftover filling on top or in the corners for extra flavor.

5-Cover the stuffed manicotti with the remaining spaghetti sauce, then tightly wrap the dish with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, add the rest of the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese, and bake uncovered for another 20 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden.

6-Let the dish rest for 15 minutes before serving, and if you like, garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color. For quick spinach prep tips, check out this helpful guide to make your cooking even smoother.