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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently fold tortellini, broccoli florets, and chicken into the sauce, ensuring each component is thoroughly coated and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- 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.
- 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