Cheesy Spinach and Mushroom Manicotti

2Bleu's Note:

This is a nice twist on an old favorite by adding spinach and fresh mushrooms.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 35 mins
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 10 ounces spinach, thawed and well drained (frozen chopped)
• 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
• 6 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 6 ounces provolone cheese, cut into very small pieces (shredded)
• 3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded (divided)
• 1 egg
• 8 ounces manicotti, cooked al dente' and drained (14 count)
• 16 ounces spaghetti sauce (with meat)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray (or using additional sauce, lightly spread some sauce on the bottom of the pan). Set aside.
2. Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
3. In a large bowl, mix thoroughly the mushroom mixture, spinach, ricotta cheese, provolone, cream cheese, half of Parmesan cheese, and the eggs.
4. Spoon (or use a pastry bag with a large tip) about 2 tbsp of filling mixture into the manicotti shells and then place them into the 9x13 pan.
5. Drizzle remaining sauce over top. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese and bake 55 minutes or until heated through.

Reviews

[CaliforniaJan]

Wonderful recipe with excellent flavor. Here are my slight changes: The recipe did not say to precook the manicotti, but after looking at the box and seeing that they did that for their recipe, I boiled the noodles until just barely cooked - about 6 minutes. I also used a 20 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce and added a thin layer below the manicotti and then put the remainder on top of the pasta as directed in the recipe. When I prepared the filling as directed I had enough leftover to fill an additional four manicotti. Finally, I cooked the dish covered tightly with foil to keep the moisture in and enable the manicotti to be fully cooked. Very Delish!!

[Sharon123]

I enjoyed this for dinner. I halved the recipe, using vegan ricotta cheese. I used some sauce on the bottom of the dish and added a few extra mushrooms. I had a nice dinner with leftovers for another night. Thanks for a nice way to fix manicotti!