Cheese Tortellini Bake

Ahhhhh, winter. The season of colder temps, less outside time, and, if you are lucky enough based on your region, snow. I use “lucky” somewhat sarcastically. But what also screams winter, no not red wine…ok, yes, red wine. But also, comfort foods. Foods that are warm, usually filling, and just make you feel like maybe it’s worth all the cold weather. Queue the cheese tortellini bake.

Ingredients/Recipe:

•  20 oz bag of cheese tortellini

• 1 1b. of hamburger (skip this if you prefer meatless)

• 1 jar (24 oz) of red sauce

• 1 block (8 oz) of cream cheese

• 1-2 cups of shredded mozzarella

Putting it Together:

Fry up hamburger and drain extra grease. Cook tortellini in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, just enough to make it al dente. Strain the tortellini, and then in the same pan it cooked in, put in the red sauce and cream cheese on low heat, stirring until the cream cheese is mixed in. Then add the hamburger and the tortellini. Once all well mixed together, pour into a casserole dish, and sprinkle the 1-2 cups of mozzarella over the top. Cook in the oven at 350 for 25-30 minutes, and then broil on low for 2-3 minutes to get a nice crispy top.

Serving:

Serve hot right out of the oven, super great with some shredded parm on top and pairs well with a side salad and/or some nice buttery Texas toast.

 Load of Crock Tip(s):Serving

• This is excellent warmed up as a leftover, so don’t be shy if you are worried about the amount.

• Add extra mozzarella if doing as a leftover- sprinkle over whatever amount you are heating up, like you did with the original dish in the oven.

So, go ahead and add it to the list of the season- colder temps, less outside time, snow (if you’re lucky) and cheese tortellini bake! Oh, and let us not forget- red wine!