Spinach Manicotti
The secret to irresistible manicotti is to make them from scratch with homemade crespelles, which are basically Italian crepes. These are filled with spinach, egg and three cheeses and topped with home made sauce. Filling and delicious! This video shows you how to make Spinach & Cheese Manicotti, Caesar Salad and Pear Dessert. The lower calorie recipe is below the video.
Lower Calorie Homemade Spinach Manicotti
Ingredients
- 16 oz part skim ricotta cheese
- 2 cups 2% milk reduced fat mozzarella cheese, shredded (reserve 1/2 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Reggiano
- salt and pepper
- 16 crespelles (see the lower calorie recipe)
- 32 oz marinara sauce or Filetto di Pomodoro
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella, egg, spinach, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
- Fill each crespelle with 1/4 cup spinach filling and roll.
- In a large baking dish, (or two smaller dishes) pour a little sauce on the bottom of the dish.
- Place rolled manicotti seem side down onto baking dish.
- Top with a little more sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake about 20 – 25 minutes.
Serves 8 – Serving Size: 2 manicotti – Nutrition Per Serving
Calories: 376, Fat: 18g, Protein: 25g, Carbohydrate: 29g, Fibre: 3g
Lower Calorie Crespelle Recipe
Crespelles are Italian crepes used in dishes such as manicotti, lasagna and other stuffed dishes in place of pasta. They have a lighter texture than pasta and are low in points.
Ingredients
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 1/2 cups 1% milk
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 whole egg
- 1 tsp oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Olive oil spray
Method
- Put all the ingredients in the blender.
- To make crespelles, heat a 6″ non-stick frying pan on medium-low heat.
- Lightly spray pan using olive oil spray and pour 2 tablespoons of batter into the pan, slowly swirling the batter around the pan to cover evenly.
- Cook about 30 seconds.
- Flip and cook another 10 seconds.
- Remove and place on a plate and repeat the process with the remaining batter.
Serves 16 – Serving Size: 1 – Nutrition Per Serving
Calories: 52, Fat: 1g, Protein: 2g, Carbohydrate: 7g, Fibre: less than 1g
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