Shiitake Mushroom and Spinach Manicotti

[MamaMandee]

Shiitake Mushroom and Spinach Manicotti from the Betty Crocker site!

You Need:

12

uncooked manicotti pasta or cannelloni shells

2

slices 7-grain sandwich bread

1/4

cup butter or margarine

4 1/2

cups sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms (about 8 oz)

2

cloves garlic, finely chopped

1

bag (10 oz) fresh spinach, stems removed

1

cup ricotta cheese

3

oz Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

1

egg, beaten

1

teaspoon salt

1/2

teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/3

cup butter or margarine

2

tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

2

cups half-and-half

4

oz Gouda cheese, shredded (1 cup)

1 1/2

cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (6 oz)

3

tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

To Make:

• 1Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta shells as directed on package.
• 2Meanwhile, tear bread into pieces; place in food processor. Cover; process until coarse crumbs form. Spread crumbs on cookie sheet. Bake 3 to 4 minutes or until toasted. Place crumbs in small bowl; set aside.
• 3In 10-inch skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Cook mushrooms and garlic in butter until mushroom liquid is absorbed. Transfer mixture to large bowl. In skillet, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat; add spinach. Cover; cook 5 minutes or until wilted. Add spinach to mushroom mixture. Stir in ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Spoon mixture evenly into pasta shells. Place in baking dish.
• 4In 2-quart heavy saucepan, melt 1/3 cup butter over low heat. Stir in flour with whisk until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in half-and half. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add Gouda cheese; stir until melted. Pour sauce over stuffed shells.
• 5Add cheese blend and melted butter to toasted bread crumbs; toss well. Sprinkle over shells. Bake uncovered 45 minutes or until bubbly.

Serves: 6

[VanBurren]

 Oh, I think I want to try this!

[imadekyle]

O wow! I have to keep this one, sounds perfect!

[taniamorse85]

I've got to try this!  Spinach and mushroom is one of my favorite food combinations.

[amyjane22]

Sounds so good! I think I'll make this sometime :)

[KaylaMillar]

I would try this w/o mushrooms

[MamaMandee]

Me too!! 

Quoting taniamorse85:

I've got to try this!  Spinach and mushroom is one of my favorite food combinations.

[snuggiewoogie]

 This is a good one I'll bet :)

[Dabberdoo]

I love cheese.

[Dabberdoo]

This looks so good.

[1stpreggers]

 keeper Making this next week!