Cheese & Olive Manicotti With Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 manicotti, pieces cooked according to directions without salt or fat
• 2 tablespoons black olives, chopped
• 6 tablespoons fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
• onion powder, a dash (optional)
• garlic powder, a dash
• italian seasoning (a pinch "or" two)
• 1 pinch salt, divided
• crushed red pepper flakes, a pinch or two (optional)
• 2 tablespoons part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated, divided
• nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray
• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup sliced button mushroom
• 1/2 tablespoon flour
• 6 tablespoons nonfat milk or 1% low-fat milk

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F

2. 2

   Cook manicotti and set aside.

3. 3

   In a bowl, combine chopped black olives, ricotta cheese, egg white, Parmesan cheese, Italian Seasoning, pinch of salt, pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (if using), a dash of onion powder(if using), a dash of garlic powder and 1 tbsp grated mozzarella cheese.

4. 4

   Spray a small baking dish with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.

5. 5

   Fill the manicotti evenly with the ricotta cheese mixture, laying them into the dish.

6. 6

   Set aside.

7. 7

   In a saucepan sprayed with nonstick vegetable cooking, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and mushrooms.

8. 8

   Cook for 1 minute and add the flour.

9. 9

   Add the milk gradually and with a wire whisk smooth out the lumps.

10. 10

    Cook mushroom sauce 2 to 3 minutes until thickened.

11. 11

    Check for seasoning & add a pinch of salt, if needed.

12. 12

    Pour sauce over manicotti and top with remaining 1 tbsp grated mozzarella cheese.

13. 13

    Bake uncovered for 25 minutes.