Stuff shells and dump them in a slow cooker for an easy dinner everyone loves

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Stuffed pasta shells are an Italian treat and family favorite, but you probably didn't know that you can make them in your slow cooker. Most recipes for manicotti require you to boil then stuff the slipper pasta, and then bake them in the oven for nearly an hour. This simplified recipe, from the cooking blog Head Happenings, works with uncooked pasta, so you don't have to worry about ripping the tender manicotti while stuffing it (or burning your hands while handling the hot shells).
There's lots of room for improvisation in the recipe that follows. If you're a purist, you can make your marinara sauce from scratch using fresh garlic and herbs. But if convenience is the rule of the day, simply use ready-made sauce and canned Italian tomatoes with the spices already mixed in. Whichever choice you make, this is comfort food without the hassle. So ... let's get cooking. 
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Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Serves: 4-5
Ingredients:
Instructions:
1. Begin by combining the ricotta, spinach, egg, and salt in a medium-sized bowl, then stir in half of the parmesan and all of the mozzarella cheese. Tip: If the carnivore in your home needs a more substantial meal, simply brown some Italian sausage or ground beef and let it cool. You can add this to the cheese mixture as well.
2. In your slow cooker insert, combine half of the tomatoes with one cup of pasta sauce.
3. Stuff the uncooked pasta shells with the cheese mixture, place them in the slow cooker, and cover with the remaining tomatoes. Layer the additional stuffed shells on top, then pour in the rest of the pasta sauce. 
4. Sprinkle the pasta with Parmesan cheese, cover, and cook on low for 3-4 hours until the shells are tender and the sauce is bubbling. Tip: If you want a cheesier manicotti, you can omit the Parmesan at this stage and add more shredded mozzarella on top during the final 15 minutes.
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5. Serve with hot garlic bread or bread sticks and a crisp green salad. Enjoy! 
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