Manicotti with Eggplant Sauce
This Italian-style dish from Barbara Nowakowski of North Tonawanda, New York has a hearty spinach and cheese filling and a well-seasoned tomato-eggplant sauce. Since the recipe calls for reduced-fat ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, it will fill you up, not out!
SERVINGS
|
6
|
CATEGORY
|
Lower Fat
|
METHOD
|
Baked
|
PREP |
25 min. |
COOK
|
25 min.
|
TOTAL
|
50 min.
|
INGREDIENTS
- 1 small eggplant, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) no-salt-added tomato sauce
- 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
- 1 cup reduced-fat ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup egg substitute
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 6 manicotti shells, cooked, rinsed and drained
DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook and stir the eggplant, onion, garlic, tarragon and thyme until vegetables are tender. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella, egg substitute, Parmesan and parsley; mix well. Stuff into manicotti shells.
Place in an 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spoon eggplant sauce over manicotti; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Cover and bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.