Serving Up {Pasta}: Chicken Tortellini Bake

This is one of those recipes that at first glance may not grab your attention (and these photos do it NO justice, for which I apologize) but the flavors of this quick pasta dish are definitely memorable.  I don't know about you, but most nights our dinner hour is complicated - homework, scouts, piano lessons, chores, etc.  A recipe that can be put together in the morning and then put into the fridge until the dinner hour, when it's a quick pop into the oven to cook through, is a huge bonus in my book.

The tortellini, cheese and chicken are all child friendly ingredients.  The mushrooms may be a bit much for some children (or husbands) but they definitely add a flavor that knocks this dish out of the park!  The evening I took these photos I had actually made it without the mushrooms (an easy oversight at the market) but in the past I have used a variety of wild mushrooms, none of which have disappointed.  Get creative - even if you can only put the mushrooms in "your" corner of the casserole dish.

CHICKEN TORTELLINI BAKE     

(recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe)
printable version

16 ounce package of fresh cheese tortellini (the kind you find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store)
1 Tbs. oil
2 chicken breasts, cut up into bite size pieces
3 green onions finely chopped, white and green parts
2 Tbs. flour
1 cup chicken broth
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
3/4 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 

Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook tortellini for 2-3 minutes (this is if you use the “fresh” tortellini from the refrigerated section.  Drain and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken for 1-2 minutes and add the fresh mushrooms and green onions, cooking until chicken is done and mushrooms are golden brown. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add chicken broth and stir until thickened. Mix in sour cream until mixture is creamy and slightly thickened.

Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Pour the tortellini into the bottom of the 9x13 pan. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the tortellini. Put the cooked chicken/sauce mixture on top and the sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.

Bake covered with tin foil at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown around the edges.