Description
This Chicken Parmesan Tortellini Bake is a comforting blend of two Italian-American classics, featuring tender chicken and cheesy tortellini baked to perfection. It’s an easy, satisfying meal that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- pre-cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
- jarred marinara sauce
- olive oil
- fresh onion (finely diced)
- fresh garlic (minced or crushed)
- dried Italian seasoning
- dried oregano
- red pepper flakes (optional)
- tomato paste (optional)
- vegetable or chicken broth (optional)
- shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
- ricotta cheese (optional)
- fresh basil (torn or chopped, for garnish)
- salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
- Cook the fresh or frozen tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Shred the pre-cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces if not already done.
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the fresh onion and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the jarred marinara sauce and stir in the Italian seasoning, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. If adding tomato paste or broth, stir those in as well.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
- In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooked tortellini, shredded chicken, and about 2 cups of the prepared marinara sauce. If using ricotta cheese, fold that in now.
- Spread a thin layer (about 1/2 cup) of the remaining marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the tortellini and chicken mixture into the baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the top of the tortellini mixture.
- Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: For meal prep, assemble the casserole up to the point of adding cheese and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Cook tortellini just until al dente to prevent mushiness. For a crispy cheese topping, consider shredding your own cheese and broiling briefly at the end.