Refried Beans

When we went to the cannery, my family bagged a bunch of dried refried beans. We have been trying to figure out what to do with them other than burritos. This past weekend, I was at my sister-in-law's home in Raleigh and she introduced me to this recipe. Yummy! I like ground beef better or you can even try chicken.


Mexican Manicotti

SERVINGS: 6

TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 45 min.
Ingredients:

* 1-1/2 pounds bulk pork sausage
* 1/2 cup chopped onion
* 1 can (16 ounces) refried (just reconstitute the dried ones)
* 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1 package (8 ounces) manicotti, cooked and drained
* 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
* 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, optional
* 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the beans, chili powder and cumin. Stuff into manicotti shells.
Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine tomato sauce and chilies if desired; pour over manicotti. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.