Crab and Spinach Stuffed Manicotti

Prep

30-60 mins

Total

1 HR 10 MIN

Servings

12 Servings

Perk up their palates with a plucky pasta, Crab and Spinach Stuffed Manicotti. Resplendent and surprisingly easy to prepare, Crab and Spinach Stuffed ...

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

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 375°F.

  2. Step 2

    Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Step 7

    Bake 30 to 35 min. or until heated through.