Ultimate Crab and Spinach Manicotti with Parmesan Cheese Sauce
Treat your taste buds to a luxurious twist on pasta night with the *Ultimate Crab and Spinach Manicotti with Parmesan Cheese Sauce*. This elevated comfort dish boasts tender manicotti shells generously stuffed with a rich blend of lump crab meat, sautéed fresh spinach, creamy ricotta, and mozzarella, creating a perfectly balanced filling. Topped with a velvety homemade Parmesan cheese sauce enhanced by a hint of nutmeg, and baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this recipe is as indulgent as it is satisfying. Perfect for dinner parties or a special family meal, this seafood-inspired baked pasta pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad and garlic bread. Bursting with flavor and made with simple ingredients, this crab manicotti is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pieces Manicotti shells
- 1 pound Lump crab meat
- 4 cups Fresh spinach
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large Egg
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1.5 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil and set aside.
Cook manicotti shells in a large pot of salted boiling water for 6-7 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine crab meat, cooked spinach (squeezed of excess water), ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well.
Using a small spoon or piping bag, carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the crab and spinach mixture and place in the prepared baking dish.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in milk and continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Pour the Parmesan cheese sauce evenly over the stuffed manicotti shells in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese on top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
680 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.7 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.6 g | 88% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 151 mg | 50% | |
| Sodium | 1402 mg | 61% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 58.6 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.6 g | ||
| Protein | 43.8 g | 88% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 628 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 526 mg | 11% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
