Gourmet Crab & Ricotta Cannelloni with Basil Infusion
Experience a delightful, low-fat gourmet dish that's perfect for a refined palate. This crab and ricotta cannelloni is infused with fresh basil for a fragrant and flavorful meal. Crab, with its delicate sweetness, is perfectly complemented by creamy ricotta and aromatic spices in this Weight Watchers-approved recipe that offers just 5 points per serving. While it's superb with crab, chicken can be substituted for a different twist; just pair it with sage or garlic to enhance the flavor profile. Enjoy this hearty meal that feels indulgent but fits within a healthy lifestyle.
4-6 serving(s)
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh crabmeat
500 g (or 3 x 170g cans, drained)
green shallots
2 (trimmed, thinly sliced)
fresh low-fat ricotta cheese
100 g
ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon
fresh basil leaf
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
egg
1 (lightly beaten)
cannelloni tubes
12
bought pasta sauce
2 cups
grated low-fat mozzarella
3/4 cup
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the crabmeat, thinly sliced shallots, ricotta cheese, nutmeg, chopped basil, and the lightly beaten egg. Add salt and pepper to taste, and mix until thoroughly combined.
3
Using a teaspoon, carefully stuff each cannelloni tube with the crab and ricotta mixture.
4
Spread 1/2 cup of the pasta sauce evenly on the bottom of a 1.5L (6-cup) ovenproof ceramic dish. Arrange the filled cannelloni tubes over the sauce.
5
Pour the remaining pasta sauce evenly over the cannelloni and sprinkle with the grated mozzarella cheese.
6
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
7
Serve hot and enjoy the savory flavors of this gourmet dish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in this Gourmet Crab & Ricotta Cannelloni recipe?
The main protein is 500g of fresh crabmeat, although you can also use three 170g cans of drained crabmeat.
How many Weight Watchers points is this dish per serving?
This recipe is designed to be Weight Watchers-friendly and contains 5 points per serving.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 180 degrees Celsius or 356 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I substitute the crab with another meat?
Yes, chicken can be substituted for the crab; it is recommended to pair it with sage or garlic to enhance the flavor profile.
How many cannelloni tubes are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 12 cannelloni tubes.
What type of cheese is used inside the filling?
The filling uses 100g of fresh low-fat ricotta cheese.
What kind of cheese is sprinkled on top of the cannelloni?
The dish is topped with 3/4 cup of grated low-fat mozzarella cheese.
How much pasta sauce is needed in total?
A total of 2 cups of bought pasta sauce is used in this recipe.
What is the total baking time for the cannelloni?
The total baking time is 30 minutes: 20 minutes covered with foil and 10 minutes uncovered.
What herb is used to infuse the crab and ricotta mixture?
One tablespoon of finely chopped fresh basil leaf is used to infuse the filling.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe provides approximately 4 to 6 servings.
What size baking dish should I use?
An ovenproof ceramic dish with a capacity of 1.5 liters or 6 cups is recommended.
How do I prepare the green shallots?
The green shallots should be trimmed and thinly sliced before being added to the mixing bowl.
Is there any specific spice added to the filling?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg is added to the crab and ricotta mixture.
How should the egg be prepared before adding it to the mixture?
The egg should be lightly beaten before being combined with the other filling ingredients.
What is the first step in the baking process after stuffing the tubes?
Spread 1/2 cup of pasta sauce on the bottom of the dish before arranging the filled cannelloni tubes over it.
How do I stuff the cannelloni tubes?
Use a teaspoon to carefully stuff the crab and ricotta mixture into each tube.
Why is the foil removed during the last 10 minutes of baking?
The foil is removed to allow the mozzarella cheese on top to become golden and bubbly.
Is this dish suitable for a low-fat diet?
Yes, the recipe uses low-fat ricotta and low-fat mozzarella, making it a delightful low-fat gourmet dish.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include crab, ricotta, cannelloni, basil, low fat, weight watchers, italian, healthy, pasta, and gourmet.
What should I look for to know the pasta is done?
The pasta is done when it is tender and the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
Should I add seasoning to the filling?
Yes, you should add salt and pepper to taste to the mixing bowl with the crabmeat and cheese.
How many shallots are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 green shallots.
Is the pasta boiled before stuffing?
No, the instructions indicate stuffing the dry tubes and baking them in sauce until tender.
Can I use fresh crab instead of canned?
Yes, 500g of fresh crabmeat is the primary recommendation for this gourmet dish.
What is the flavor profile of the crab in this dish?
The crab offers a delicate sweetness that is complemented by creamy ricotta and aromatic spices.
What type of dish is this?
This is an Italian-inspired gourmet pasta dish.
How much nutmeg is required?
You will need 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
How much basil is required?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh basil leaf.
Is this recipe suitable for a refined palate?
Yes, it is described as a gourmet dish perfect for a refined palate while remaining healthy.