Broccoli, Ham and Cheese Manicotti

* Pamela *'s Note:

What an interesting change from tradtional manicotti! You'll love the creamy texture of the cheese sauce! Note: if you slightly undercook the manicotti they will be easier to stuff.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 10 manicotti

• 1 medium onion , chopped
• 2 cups finely dicd ham
• 2 cups finely chopped broccoli (including stems)
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• salt and pepper (optional)
• garlic (optional)
• 1 cup grated swiss cheese
• 10 cooked manicotti
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 cups milk

Directions:

1. Saute onions until tender.
2. Add ham, broccoli, cheddar cheese, and mayo, (I usually add a pinch of salt and pepper and a dash of garlic to taste too) When cheese is melted, remove from heat and cool slightly.
3. Stuff manicotti with ham mixture, dividing between shells evenly, and place in a greased 9x13 inch pan.
4. Melt butter in saucepan.
5. Add flour and cook 1 minute.
6. Add milk and cook, stirring constantly until thickened.
7. Remove from heat and add swiss cheese, stirring until smooth.
8. Pour sauce over manicotti.
9. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until sauce bubbles.
10. Perfect supper with a crisp salad and garlic bread!

Reviews

[The_Desperate_Housewife]

My husband really liked this and said that it was better the next day reheated for his lunch. I thought that it was ok -- perhaps I just didn't care for the swiss cheese flavor of the sauce. If I tried this again, I think that I would use a different kind of cheese in the sauce -- maybe some more cheddar. Thank you.

[*Monica*]

Delicious! My kids loved this meal so much. I'm not a huge ham person, which is why I gave this 4 stars instead of five. If you love ham, this would be a five star recipe! I guess I could probably substitute any other meat . . . I also used canelloni shells instead.

[papergoddess]

This is very tasty and different. I like finding new ways to use leftover ham. I put my ham through the meatgrinder, along with the broccoli. I increased proportions to fill 14 shells, and increased the cream sauce to 3 cups. I used skim milk to cut a little fat. Very good recipe.