Make Ahead Tomato Basil Tortellini Bake Recipes

MAKE-AHEAD TOMATO-BASIL TORTELLINI BAKE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding peas to the boiling water for the last minute.
• Drain pasta mixture, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Mix cream cheese spread, pasta sauce and milk in same saucepan until blended. Stir in peppers, Parmesan and basil. Add pasta mixture and reserved cooking water; mix lightly.
• Spoon into 9-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with shredded cheese. Wrap tightly. Freeze up to 3 months. When ready to serve, refrigerate overnight to thaw.
• Heat oven to 350ºF. Bake casserole, covered, 1 hour or until heated through, uncovering after 45 min.

BACON TORTELLINI BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook tortellini according to package directions, adding broccoli during the last 2 minutes; drain., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 1 tablespoon in pan., Reduce heat to medium-low. Add garlic to drippings in pan; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in flour, basil, salt and pepper until blended; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 3-5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat., Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Add tortellini mixture and bacon; toss to combine. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until heated through and broccoli is tender. Freeze option: Sprinkle remaining cheeses over unbaked casserole. Cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

TOMATO BASIL TORTELLINI SOUP

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrots; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 5-6 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Transfer to a 6- or 7-qt. slow cooker. Add the tomatoes, broth, sugar, basil and bay leaf. Cook, covered, on low until vegetables are tender, 6-7 hours., Stir in tortellini. Cook, covered, on high 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in cream until heated through. Discard bay leaf. Serve with Parmesan cheese and basil. Freeze option: Before stirring in half-and-half, cool soup and freeze in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add half-and-half as directed.

SUE'S SPICY TOMATO BASIL TORTELLINI

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain., Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; saute until meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan. , In the same pan, add onion, habanero pepper, garlic and the remaining Italian seasoning and oil; reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes; cook and stir until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in cream; bring to a boil. Add tortellini, chicken and cheese; heat through. Top with basil to serve.

MAKE-AHEAD TOMATO BASIL TORTELLINI BAKE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, mix all remaining ingredients except shredded cheese until blended.
• Drain pasta. Add to cream cheese mixture; mix lightly. Spoon into 9-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with shredded cheese. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Freeze up to 3 months. Refrigerate overnight to thaw.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap from baking dish; cover with foil. Bake 1 hour or until heated through, uncovering after 45 min.