Elegant Crab and Spinach Manicotti with Parmesan Cream Sauce

Savor the exquisite blend of flavors in this luxurious dish of delicately stuffed manicotti filled with succulent crab, vibrant spinach, creamy ricotta, and bold Parmesan cheese. Topped with a velvety Parmesan cream sauce and baked to perfection, this dish is a true culinary delight.

Ingredients

1/4	cup butter (no substitutes)
1/4	cup flour
1	cup full-fat milk
1 1/2	cups half-and-half cream
1	cup grated Parmesan cheese
	salt to taste
	pepper to taste
	Tabasco sauce to taste
1	lb crabmeat, flaked (fresh or frozen)
1	(20 ounce) box frozen spinach, cooked and well drained
1 1/2	cups ricotta cheese
1 1/2	cups Parmesan cheese, can use more to taste
2	large green onions, chopped
1	large egg, beaten
	salt to taste
	pepper to taste
	shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
15	manicotti, cooked to only firm-tender

Instructions

• For the Parmesan Cream Sauce

  1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 3 minutes.
  3. Gradually add the milk and half-and-half, whisking constantly until the mixture is bubbly and thickened.
  4. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce to taste, continue stirring until the cheese is melted.
• 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with butter.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the flaked crab meat, well-drained spinach, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, green onions, beaten egg, salt, and pepper; mix thoroughly.
  4. Using clean hands, fill each cooked manicotti shell with the crab and cheese filling.
  5. Arrange the filled shells in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
  6. Pour the Parmesan cream sauce over the manicotti, ensuring it covers the dish but doesn't have to completely cover each shell.
  7. Sprinkle the top with shredded mozzarella cheese to your preference.
  8. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, being careful not to overbake.

Aug 17, 2024