My Lasagna Alternative



Baked Spinach-Mushroom Manicotti
Ingredients:

1 box (8 oz) Barilla Manicotti
2 cups chopped shiitake mushroom (I used dried ones which I soaked in warm water). I also saved the shiitake water after I squeezed the mushrooms and saved for later
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bag (6 oz) baby spinach, chopped
3 eggs slightly beaten
2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese
2 (28 oz) can marinara sauce
1 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp chili flakes or ground red pepper
3 sachets of Equal or Splenda sugar substitute
1/3 cup chopped sweet basil leaves
1 tsp salt
½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Method

1.Cook the manicotti pasta according to package instructions, make sure to season with salt; drain and set aside
2.Heat oil in a skillet, sauté the garlic and mushrooms and let cook for minute then add the shiitake water and let it simmer over low heat. Add the chopped spinach when it’s almost dried and the broth was absorbed back by the mushroom. Let cool in a bowl.
3.Mix ricotta cheese with the slightly beaten eggs then add the salt and chopped sweet basil leaves
4.Mix with the sautéed veggies and set aside
5.Pour the marinara sauce in the skillet used to sauté the veggies
6.Season with salt, ground pepper; add the sugar substitute and let simmer for five minutes, set aside

Assembly

1.Spread a generous amount of marinara sauce at the bottom of a pyrex dish or aluminum baking tray which is sprayed with baking spray.
2.Fill the manicotti shells with the mushroom mix and arrange in the pyrex dish. Top with more marinara sauce then sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
3.Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
4.Remove the foil then bake for additional 8-12 minutes or till cheese is bubbly

This recipe serves 14 people as there are 14 shells in a box

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