Cheesy Manicotti

1 pkg. (8 oz.) sliced mushrooms


2 cloves garlic, minced


3 eggs whites


1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained


1 container (15 oz.) part - skim ricotta cheese


1 cup shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese divided


1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided


1 pkg. (8 oz.) Manicotti shell (14 shells,) cooked, drained


2 cups spaghetti sauce


1 1/2 cups of chicken chunks (if you desire)


Preheat oven to 350*. Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook 5 min. on medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. beat egg whites lightly in medium bowl. Add mushroom mixture, spinach, ricotta cheese and half each of mozzarella, Parmesan cheeses and chicken; mix well. Spoon evenly into Manicotti shells. **If you have a jerky shooter or some kind of a food gun they work the best**


Place in 9 x 13 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with spaghetti sauce.


Bake 40 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses; continue baking 5 min. or until mozzarella cheese is melted.


Makes 7 servings of 2 stuffed shells each.
Total time of preperation is about 1 hour 25 minutes. (not really a fast dinner, but yummy)


You may have to add a few things to your shopping list that you've bought very few times but it is so worth it! You can substitute; cottage cheese instead of the ricotta and or grated Romano cheese for the Parmesan cheese, Broccoli instead of spinach. While your preparing for this scrumptious Italian meal don't for get the french bread, & pesto, to top it all off.

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