Cheese & Olive Manicotti With Mushroom Sauce

Manami's Note:

Saw this recipe by Crestor (the medicine), at the hospital the other day and it looked very appetizing so I copied it! Have made a few changes but they are slight & I think they made it even more delicious! ;)

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 1

• 2 manicotti , pieces cooked according to directions without salt or fat
• 2 tablespoons black olives , chopped
• 6 tablespoons fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
• onion powder , a dash (optional)
• garlic powder , a dash
• italian seasoning (a pinch "or" two)
• 1 pinch salt , divided
• crushed red pepper flakes , a pinch or two (optional)
• 2 tablespoons part-skim mozzarella cheese , grated, divided
• nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray
• ½ teaspoon olive oil
• ½ cup sliced button mushroom
• ½ tablespoon flour
• 6 tablespoons nonfat milk or 6 tablespoons 1% low-fat milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Cook manicotti and set aside.
3. In a bowl, combine chopped black olives, ricotta cheese, egg white, Parmesan cheese, Italian Seasoning, pinch of salt, pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (if using), a dash of onion powder(if using), a dash of garlic powder and 1 tbsp grated mozzarella cheese.
4. Spray a small baking dish with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.
5. Fill the manicotti evenly with the ricotta cheese mixture, laying them into the dish.
6. Set aside.
7. In a saucepan sprayed with nonstick vegetable cooking, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and mushrooms.
8. Cook for 1 minute and add the flour.
9. Add the milk gradually and with a wire whisk smooth out the lumps.
10. Cook mushroom sauce 2 to 3 minutes until thickened.
11. Check for seasoning & add a pinch of salt, if needed.
12. Pour sauce over manicotti and top with remaining 1 tbsp grated mozzarella cheese.
13. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes.