Spinach Chicken Manicotti

Name: Spinach Chicken Manicotti
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 1 large onion, chopped; 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1 garlic clove, minced; 2-1/2 cups diced cooked chicken breast; 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 3/4 cup diced fully cooked lean ham; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 egg whites; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; Dash ground nutmeg; 12 uncooked manicotti shells; SAUCE:; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup fat-free milk; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; Dash cayenne pepper; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pepper and nutmeg spice up the rich sauce in this hearty pasta dish. I made this for my boyfriend on our first Valentine’s Day. It was a big success—now we're married! —Amy Luce, Dallas, Texas

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
2-1/2 cups diced cooked chicken breast
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
3/4 cup diced fully cooked lean ham
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Dash ground nutmeg
12 uncooked manicotti shells
SAUCE:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup fat-free milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Dash cayenne pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

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, egg whites, basil, pepper and nutmeg; set aside.
Cook manicotti shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, for sauce, combine flour and 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. Spoon 1 cup into chicken mixture. Add cheese to remaining sauce.
Spread 1 cup sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Drain shells; stuff with chicken mixture. Arrange over sauce. Drizzle with remaining sauce. Cover and bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 372 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 866mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 35g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as Chicken and Spinach Manicotti in Taste of Home August/September 2005