CREAMY CHICKEN / SPINACH & HAM MANICOTTI

Creamy Chicken / Spinach & Ham Manicotti image

Another family favorite...Delicious!! My photos

Provided by Cassie *

Categories Pasta

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

12 manicotti shells, cooked according to package - drain
FILLING
1 onion, chopped
2 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 c small diced, cooked chicken
3/4 c small diced, cooked ham
1/2 c ricotta cheese
2 oz cream cheese, softened
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and water squeezed out , thoroughly
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 c grated, parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
SAUCE
3 c chicken broth
3/4 c flour
1/2 c heavy cream
1/2 c milk
1 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese and extra for sprinkling on top
paprika for sprinkling on top

Steps:

1. Cook manicotti shells according to package directions.
2. In a small skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. In a small skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. In a large bowl, combine the onion mixture, chicken, spinach, ham, cheese, eggs,ricotta, cream cheese basil, pepper, salt and nutmeg; set aside.
3. Sauce: Combine flour and chicken broth in a large saucepan until smooth; gradually stir in the milk, salt, nutmeg, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat, and stir in the 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
4. Spread 1 1/2 cups sauce into a 13 x 9 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
5. Stuff each pasta with chicken filling. ( An easier way to stuff is cut one edge lengthwise, open up and lay out flat. Spoon on filling, roll up and place seam side down in dish.) Sometimes I drizzle a tablespoon of cream sauce down the center before rolling. Don't worry of filling comes out the ends when placing in the dish, you can stuff it back in once placed.
6. Once all are stuffed and placed side by side in dish. Cover with sauce and sprinkle with desired amount of Parmesan cheese, and sprinkle with paprika.
7. Cover with foil, and place in preheated oven, for 30 - 35 minutes, until heated through and bubbly. Remove foil and continue baking for another 5 minutes to slightly brown top. If you have sauce left, save it for reheating leftovers.
8. Enjoy!