Ham and Cheese Manicotti

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces manicotti

3/4 pound precooked ham, cubed

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 white onion, chopped

2 tsp. garlic, minced

1 tsp dried oregano

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

6 tbsp. butter

6 tbsp. flour

3 cups milk

2 cups Swiss cheese

DIRECTIONS

Cook manicotti according to package instructions, careful not to overcook.  Drain and rinse in cool water and set aside.  Place the ham cubes in a medium bowl.  Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Saute the onion, garlic, and oregano, until the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes.  Add the onion mixture to the bowl with the ham and let cool for 10 minutes.  Stir in parmesan cheese.

Melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat.  Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture bubbles, about 2 minutes.  Add the milk, and cook, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens.  Stir in Swiss cheese.  Mix 1/4 of cheese sauce with ham mixture.

Fill manicotti shells with ham mixture.  Spread about 1/2 cup cheese sauce in a baking dish and arrange filled shells over sauce.  If there is any leftover stuffing, just sprinkle it over the filled shells.  Pour remaining cheese sauce over filled manicotti.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.  Sprinkle with extra Parmesan, if desired.

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