Crab and Spinach Stuffed Manicotti

Prep

30-60 mins

Total

1 HR 10 MIN

Servings

12 Servings


Ingredients

12 

manicotti shells, uncooked

5 tbsp

butter, divided

1 small

onion, chopped

1 pkg

(5 oz.) baby spinach leaves

1 tbsp

minced garlic

1/4 cup

flour

3 cups

milk

1/4 tsp

ground nutmeg and white pepper

1 pkg

(6 oz.) Shredded Parmesan Cheese, divided

1 cup

part-skim ricotta cheese

2 cans

(6 oz. each) crabmeat, drained, flaked


Instructions

Step 1

Heat oven to 375°F.

Step 2

Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.

Step 3

Meanwhile, melt 1 Tbsp. butter in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add onions; cook 5 to 6 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring frequently. Add spinach and garlic; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or just until spinach is wilted. Spoon spinach mixture into medium bowl.

Step 4

Melt remaining butter in same skillet. Stir in flour; cook 2 min., stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly after each addition. Bring to boil, whisking constantly; cook and stir 5 min. or until thickened. Remove skillet from heat. Add nutmeg, pepper and 1/2 cup Parmesan to white sauce; mix well.

Step 5

Add ricotta to spinach mixture along with 1 cup of the cheese sauce and 1/2 cup of the remaining Parmesan; mix lightly. Stir in crabmeat. Spoon into resealable plastic bag.

Step 6

Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Cut small piece off one bottom corner of filled plastic bag; use to squeeze enough crab mixture into both sides of pasta shells until shells are evenly filled with crab mixture. Place in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining cheese sauce, then remaining Parmesan.

Step 7

Bake 30 to 35 min. or until heated through.