Ah, casseroles… those homey comfort dishes are not glamorous or gourmet, but a satisfying one dish meal is so great for busy week night dinners or when it’s your turn to sign up for  a “Meal train” contribution.  This is a rich and filling meal with cheese and spinach tortellini, broccoli and chicken under a cheese sauce, bread crumbs and basil.  It will freeze like a dream and can be made ahead of time and reheated easily.  This is adapted from a Southern Living recipe.

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Tortellini Casserole with Chicken and Broccoli

Cheese and spinach tortellini, chicken and broccoli are baked in a cheesy sauce for a tasty and filling casserole.

Servings

people

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 red pepper chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups half and half
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese shredded
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 20 oz. package refrigerated cheese and spinach tortellini
• 4 cups broccoli chopped
• 4 cups cooked chicken shredded or cubed
• 1 cup bread or cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
• fresh basil leaves for garnish

Servings people Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1 onion chopped 1 red pepper chopped 2 garlic cloves minced 1/4 cup flour 2 1/2 cups chicken broth 1 1/2 cups half and half 1 cup dry white wine 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese shredded 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes 1 20 oz. package refrigerated cheese and spinach tortellini 4 cups broccoli chopped 4 cups cooked chicken shredded or cubed 1 cup bread or cracker crumbs 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. P)reheat oven to 350. Grease a 9" x 13" casserole dish and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan melt the butter over medium high heat. Add onion, red pepper and garlic and saute until soft, about five minutes.
3. Add the flour, stirring until smooth. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the broth, wine and half-and-half, and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbling (between five and ten minutes).
4. Remove from heat. and add 1 1/2 cups of cheese, salt and red pepper flakes. Stir this until the cheese melts. Add the tortellini, broccoli and chicken and gently combine.
5. Add this pasta and chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the crumbs and 11/2 cup of cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
6. Remove from oven. Garnish with basil, if desired.