Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Manicotti with Garlic Cream Sauce Oven Recipe

Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Manicotti with Garlic Cream Sauce Oven Recipe



Ingredients needed:

* 12 dried manicotti
* 6 ounces fresh peeled and deveined cooked shrimp, chopped
* 1 6-ounce can of crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed, or 5 ounces of cooked lump crabmeat, flaked
* 1 1/2 cups of shredded Italian-style cheese blend (6 ounces)
* 1/2 of a 15-ounce carton ricotta cheese (about 1 cup)
* 1/2 cup snipped fresh Italian parsley
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 2 cloves of garlic, minced
* 1/2 teaspoon of finely shredded lemon peel
* 1 recipe for Garlic Cream Sauce
* Thinly sliced green onions (optional)
* Lemon slices (optional)

Preparation steps:

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
* Cook manicotti according to package directions; drain. Place manicotti in a single layer on a sheet of greased foil.
* In a medium bowl, combine shrimp, crabmeat, 1 cup of the Italian-style cheese blend, the ricotta cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, and lemon peel. Using a small spoon, fill manicotti with shrimp mixture; arrange filled manicotti in an ungreased 13X9X2-inch baking dish. Pour Garlic Cream Sauce over filled manicotti. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Italian-style cheese blend.
* Bake, covered, for 25 minutes. Bake, uncovered, about 10 minutes more or until heated through and cheese is melted. If desired, garnish with green onions and lemon slices.

Garlic Cream Sauce Preparation steps:

* In a medium saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup of sliced green onions and 3 cloves of garlic, minced. Cook about 2 minutes or until onions are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Add 1 1/2 cups of whole milk all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in half of a 15-ounce carton ricotta cheese (about 1 cup), 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.