Luscious Tortellini Divan Bake Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Weeknight dinners call for comfort food that delivers big flavor with minimal effort, and this creamy tortellini divan bake strikes the perfect balance.

Pasta lovers will instantly fall for the rich, cheesy combination that turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Loaded with tender chicken and vibrant broccoli, this casserole brings warmth to your dinner table.

The tortellini divan bake melds classic comfort food elements into one irresistible dish.

Cheese melts into a luxurious sauce that coats every single bite of pasta and protein.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of textures and seasonings that make dinner feel like a special occasion.

You’ll want to savor every comforting, cheesy moment of this easy one-pan meal.

How to Bake This Creamy Tortellini Dish

• Flavor Foundation

Create a delicious base by gently sautéing aromatic vegetables in a large pot, allowing their natural sweetness to develop and fill your kitchen with an inviting aroma.

• Creamy Transformation

Craft a luxurious sauce by whisking together smooth liquids and creating a velvety texture that will coat every morsel of the dish with rich, comforting flavors.

• Hearty Assembly

Combine tender tortellini, succulent chicken, and crisp broccoli in a welcoming baking dish, ensuring each ingredient gets a perfect coating of the dreamy sauce.

• Crunchy Crown

Prepare a golden, nutty topping that will add exciting texture and visual appeal, transforming the dish from simple to spectacular with a sprinkle of crunchy goodness.

• Baking Magic

Allow the casserole to bake until it bubbles with anticipation, creating a beautiful golden surface that promises a delightful meal waiting to be savored.

Ingredient Substitutes & Cooking Tips

• Swap chicken for turkey, shrimp, or tofu to create a personalized twist that matches your dietary preferences or available ingredients.
• Experiment with different vegetables like cauliflower, asparagus, or zucchini to add color, nutrition, and fresh flavors to the classic recipe.
• Mix different cheeses like gruyère, fontina, or sharp cheddar to create a more complex and rich cheese profile that elevates the overall taste.
• Use gluten-free tortellini, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch, and select gluten-free crackers to transform this dish for those with dietary restrictions.

Serving Tips for Tortellini Divan Bake

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Serve this hearty tortellini bake as a comforting main course with loved ones gathered around the table, perfect for chilly evenings or weekend gatherings.
• Gourmet Side Companions: Pair with a crisp green salad topped with light vinaigrette or roasted asparagus spears to balance the rich, creamy texture of the dish.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the flavors with a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, which will enhance the subtle notes of chicken and cheese.
• Leftover Magic: Store remaining portions in airtight containers for quick lunch reheats, maintaining the delicious blend of tortellini, chicken, and creamy sauce for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

How to Store & Reheat This Pasta Bake

• Quick Meal Prep: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours before baking, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and refrigerate. This strategy saves precious time during busy weeknights and ensures a delicious meal is just an oven-warming away.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap the unbaked casserole securely in double layers of plastic wrap and heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, adding 10-15 minutes to the original cooking time.
• Leftover Magic: Store remaining tortellini bake in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power to maintain the creamy texture and prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture if needed.
• Smart Ingredient Staging: Chop vegetables and shred chicken in advance. Keep prepped ingredients in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, streamlining your cooking process and reducing evening meal preparation stress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 65 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 7

What’s Inside a Tortellini Divan Bake

• Chicken: Tender meat adds hearty substance and filling protein to the casserole.
• Tortellini: Delightful stuffed pasta brings rich, cheesy flavor and delectable texture.

• Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables create a robust, multilayered flavor foundation.
• Chicken Broth: Provides deep, savory liquid base for creamy sauce.
• Half-and-Half, Wine: Luxurious liquids contribute silky smoothness and complex undertones.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers sharp, nutty essence and creamy melting quality.
• Salt, Red Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and heighten overall taste profile.
• Flour: Crucial thickening agent for creating smooth, velvety sauce consistency.
• Butter: Adds rich, golden depth and helps bind ingredients.

• Crackers, Pecans: Create irresistible crispy, golden-brown crown with delightful nutty crunch.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides extra cheesy, golden sprinkle on top.
• Broccoli: Introduces vibrant green color and nutritious vegetable element.

Tools and Bakeware for Tortellini Divan

• Dutch oven: Essential for sautéing vegetables and creating creamy sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending broth, half-and-half, and wine.
• 13×9-inch baking dish: Ideal size for baking the entire casserole.
• Measuring cups: Necessary for precise ingredient measurements.
• Cutting board: Helpful for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing onions, bell peppers, and other prep work.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.

Cheesy Tortellini Divan Bake

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 65 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Classic Italian-meets-American tortellini divan bake blends creamy cheese sauce with tender pasta and broccoli. Home cooks discover comfort and convenience in this simple, satisfying casserole that brings warmth to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 1 (20 oz / 567 g) package refrigerated cheese-and-spinach tortellini
• 4 cups chopped fresh broccoli
• 1 cup (4 oz / 113 g) freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ cups half-and-half
• ½ cup butter
• 3 tbsps butter, melted
• ½ cup chopped sweet onion
• ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup dry white wine
• ¼ tsp table salt
• ¼ tsp ground red pepper
• 15 round buttery crackers, crushed
• ½ cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Sweat diced onions, red bell peppers, and minced garlic in a spacious pot until translucent, releasing their fragrant essence and building a flavor foundation.
2. Create Sauce Base: Dust softened vegetables with flour, stirring continuously to eliminate raw taste and develop a smooth roux for the creamy sauce, then gradually whisk in chicken broth, half-and-half, and white wine to achieve a silky consistency.
3. Develop Flavor Profile: Simmer sauce until thickened, then remove from heat and incorporate Parmesan cheese, salt, and red pepper, creating a luxurious and nuanced flavor backdrop.
4. Combine Ingredients: Gently fold tortellini, broccoli florets, and chicken into the sauce, ensuring each component is thoroughly coated and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
5. Assemble Casserole: Transfer the creamy mixture to a greased baking dish, then craft a textural topping by combining Parmesan, crushed crackers, and chopped pecans, drizzling with melted butter to bind the ingredients.
6. Bake and Finish: Sprinkle topping over the casserole and bake in a preheated oven until edges bubble and the surface transforms into a golden-brown, crispy masterpiece ready to be served.

Notes

• Prevent Soggy Topping: Toast cracker crumbs briefly before adding to the casserole to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Sauce Consistency Magic: Allow sauce to simmer slowly and reduce, which concentrates flavors and ensures a thick, luxurious coating that clings perfectly to tortellini and chicken.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Incorporate Parmesan off the heat to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, creamy texture without graininess.
• Avoid Overcooking Pasta: Use fresh or refrigerated tortellini instead of frozen to prevent mushiness, and slightly undercook before baking to guarantee ideal texture in the final dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 85mg