Ultimate Crab And Spinach Manicotti With Parmesan Cheese Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

PARMESAN SAUCE
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 and pepper
Tabasco sauce
MANICOTTI FILLING
1 lb crabmeat, flaked (fresh or frozen)
1 (20 ounce) box frozen spinach (cooked and well drained, squeeze out moisture with hands)
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 and pepper
shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
15 manicotti, cooked to only firm-tender

Preparation

To make the sauce: in a saucepan over medium heat melt butter.
Add in flour and whisk for about 3 minutes.
Add in milk and half and half whisk over heat until bubbly and thickened.
Add in the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and Tabasco to taste; stir until the cheese melts.
Set oven to 375 degrees.
Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
In a bowl mix together crab, well drained spinach, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese, onions, egg, salt and pepper; mix well to combine.
Fill each cooked shell with crab/cheese filling using clean hands.
Place in a single layer in prepared baking dish.
Cover with the Parmesan cheese sauce (does not have to cover completely!).
Sprinkle with grated mozzeralla cheese (any amount desired).
Bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes (do not over bake!).