This Cheese Tortellini Bake is also just buying things and putting them together. I mean, there's a little bit of cooking involved, but it's mostly just assembly. And is that wrong? No, it's not! Not every meal needs to be a big production and that, my friends, is why Sandra Lee is a genius. So maybe my own semi-homemade dinners have a little less condensed cream of mushroom soup and a lot less alcohol, but the overall concept is there. It's a solid concept!
I rarely buy refrigerated tortellini and ravioli because the portions are so small, I'm usually still hungry after I've finished eating. So when I do buy them, I like to bulk up the meal with veggies, which help me feel full without adding many extra calories. I started this recipe with a good quality refrigerated tortellini (I used RP's because they're based out of Madison, where we used to live) and pasta sauce, then added oven-roasted broccoli and a little mozzarella cheese. Yes, it's that easy! And with the time you save on dinner, you'll have time to whip up a tablescape and cocktails.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 medium crowns broccoli, broken into florets
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
- Olive oil mister, or cooking spray
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 9-ounce package cheese tortellini
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup good quality marinara sauce
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Spray a large baking dish with cooking spray. Place the broccoli and garlic in the dish, spray with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Roast the broccoli for about 20 minutes or until tender and just beginning to brown, stirring occasionally. Don't turn off the oven.
- While the broccoli is roasting, cook the tortellini according to the package instructions and drain well. (If you don't drain the tortellini well, the bake will be watery, so make sure it's really dry!)
- Add the tortellini to the baking dish with the broccoli and toss with the Italian seasoning and marinara sauce. Top with cheese and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
There is definitely nothing wrong with buying things and putting them together sometimes...we all need those go to meals for busy days! This looks delish Kiersten...love that you made the portions more human sized by adding those veggies!
Kiersten Frase says
I feel compelled to add veggies to just about everything I make. 🙂
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I'm down with the occasional assembly piece...uh, not THAT particular one because it looks heinous but you get my drift.
I think TJ's has some good tortellini. I'll have to stick it on the list for the next grocery run.
Kiersten Frase says
Yes, they do! TJ's has lots of tasty refrigerated pasta, in fact. But you knew that. 🙂
Kari@Loaves n Dishes says
I've watched Semi homemade and cringed as I think of all that sodium and those preservatives! Having said that; we all do it sometimes and it's not so bad if you add lots of fresh veggies! BTW roasted broccoli is my all time fave!
Kiersten Frase says
I never steam broccoli anymore because it's SO much better roasted! 🙂
Christy@SweetandSavoring says
Man, that's how I feel about so many 'food blogs' out here. Packets of this, cans of that, fake cheese, mix it all together and...you have something I would not want to eat! But this? Roasted broccoli + pasta + cheese? I can totally get behind 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
When I was a periodicals librarian, I used to love thumbing through the old magazines and looking at the 50s/60s era recipes, which were full of that kind of thing--everything was made with canned soup, Jello, etc. I am completely fascinated by that style of cooking. 🙂
Colleen @ Culinary Colleen says
I don't always agree with what Sandra Lee makes, but I generally agree with her overall concept...especially when a dish like this is the result!
dishing up the dirt says
You read my mind this morning! I need more recipes that require less cooking and more "throw" it all together type of dishes. These sound delicious!
Kiersten Frase says
I'm sure you do! Especially with spring right around the corner. 🙂
marquis @realrawkitchen says
I feel the same way about some of the things I make, as well! Like my banana ice cream .. it's really not a recipe. It's frozen bananas, blended and topped with whatever you'd like. This looks absolutely delicious and easy to make, which I think are the more important points 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
Banana ice cream might not be a recipe, but it IS crazy delicious. 🙂
Casey @ Salted Plates says
I've always been a big fan of tortellini because its so fast and easy to prepare. I try to keep some stocked up for the oh no we have nothing to eat dinners or the oh no it's 9 pm and I'm just getting home. Something that is comforting and filling is really needed at those times and this is a great way to add some veggies to that mix!
Kiersten Frase says
Pasta is my go-to quick dinner when I'm too busy to cook or when my original plans fall through too. It takes less time than getting takeout!
Natalie says
Ha ha, I love recipes that I can throw together. This dish certainly looks a lot more fanciful - a great way to make hubby think I've been busy in the kitchen all day 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
Those are the best recipes, right? The ones that LOOK like they took a long time to make!
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
I love that saying, this is not a recipe, it's assembly.
Well then, I assemble most weeknight meals and cook recipes on the weekends 🙂 One of my favorite weeknight meals in the summer is refrigerated tortellini, homemade pesto & sliced vegetables. So easy! This looks like a perfect winter alternative
Kiersten Frase says
I have done the same thing with tortellini, pesto, and veggies! The veggies are essential. 🙂
Meg @ Beard and Bonnet says
I love easy recipes like this! This is way better than anything Sandra Lee ever shared for sure. 🙂
vegeTARAian says
YES! This sounds amazing!. I love the simplicity of it too.
Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
I love how simple and delicious this is - perfect weeknight dinner! Up with the best kind of semi-homemade 🙂
Genevieve says
Yeah, those Sandra Lee videos can be pretty entertaining haha...I would still call this recipe a real meal though, especially since you added roasted broccoli instead of just pasta with sauce and cheese!
Kiersten Frase says
Yeah, the roasted broccoli definitely adds credibility. 🙂
Joanne says
Sandra Lee drives me CRAZY. But I do approve of you method of dinner "assembly". But cream of and condensed soups, I will never get behind. Tortellini and ravioli, on the other hand....yes and YES.
Kiersten Frase says
I totally grew up on dinners made with cream of ______ soups, so I will admit that I have a soft spot for them. I get excited when I go home to visit because I know my mom or grandma will make some kind of creamy, bad-for-me casserole that I would never make for myself. 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
This bake looks so warm and comforting, just what my Monday needs!
Martina @ snapshotsandwhatnots says
Bah ha ha I'm so much better at assembly then recipe style cooking though - mostly because the contents of my fridge/pantry never usually stretch beyond assembly! This looks delicious (and easy which is awesome!)
Kiersten Frase says
There is nothing wrong with assembly! 🙂
Shirley says
OK, I'll confess... I used to comment to my friends about Sandra Lee: "I bet the second the camera cuts, she chain-smokes with her cocktails and shakes babies." She can be Stepford-intense! So I would never put you in the same camp as her. Your food is way better, even if it's not technically a recipe. I inhale packaged tortellini when I buy it, so I'll have to bulk it up with broccoli like this next time.
Kiersten Frase says
BWAHAHA! Well, the palate-deadening effects of smoking may explain this then: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/grilled-new-york-strip-with-chocolate-merlot-sauce-recipe.html
Shirley says
Drunkenness might explain it, too. Jalapeno with onion soup mix and chocolate over steak... yuck. lol
Kiersten Frase says
It's just not right.
Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody) says
I fell in love with roast broccoli last year and will use it any chance I can.
This is a great midweek meal. Sometimes simple fits the bill perfectly. 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
We love it too! Whenever I need just a little something to round out a meal, I always roast some broccoli or cauliflower.
Nat @ the Apple Diaries says
Kiersten how do you always make the simplest of dishes look amazing! Haha I'm a big pasta bake fan so I'll definitely be trying this 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
Well, I will admit, I had to take two sets of pictures for this recipe because the first set was a hot mess. I used tricolor tortellini and it looked very strange with the sauce and broccoli! 🙂
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
I have to admit I often rely on semi-homemade dinners like the ones you mentioned and, yes, I've always felt a little guilty about it but now I'm SO relieved I'm not the only one who does so!
I love tortellini, even more when they're baked in a sort of gratin, so I'll be trying this "assembly" for sure!
xo, Elisa
Kiersten Frase says
Even as a full-time food blogger, I have days when I either don't have the time to cook or don't feel like cooking. I don't think you should ever feel guilty about that!
Allison B says
You know sometimes you just need a quick meal to throw together on a busy night. My kids love tortellini and broccoli so this would be a huge hit in my house.
Kiersten Frase says
Kids that love broccoli! You definitely raised them right. 🙂
Stephanie @ Henry Happened says
So what you're telling me is that there's not any alcohol in this? Well darn 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
You could always pour some red wine into the sauce. I'm sure that would work!
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
There is nothing wrong with easy assembly! I used to sell Pampered Chef, and it literally was tons of assembly-like meals! Everything focused on all the super-fun gadgets, but I never really honed any real culinary skills! But ya know what? The food was always really good, and everyone needs a few of those quick and simple recipes to keep in their back pocket to whip up when the day falls apart! 🙂
We have a fantastic pasta company not far from here, and they sell in our local stores. I can't wait to make this and support the community at the same time!
Kiersten Frase says
I have these adjustable measuring spoons from Pampered Chef--LOVE!!! Well, actually I only have one now because I think I must have accidentally thrown the other away. But anyway, I'm all about things that make cooking a little bit easier. So I love Pampered Chef. 🙂
Leah says
I love hate-watching Semi-Homemade. I have to say that it inspired me to look up "real" versions of some of the things Sandra Lee makes. Oh, Aunt Sandy and cocktail time... I might need to watch some tonight!
Kiersten Frase says
HA! I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. Are they still making new episodes? I stopped DVRing it a while ago because it was only recording reruns and watching the same episode 5 times seemed a little sad and weird.
Leah says
I, uh, definitely don't know anything about rewatching rerun clips on YouTube (no DVR while abroad). No sirree. :coughcough:
I don't think there have been new ones, and that makes me sad somehow...
Kiersten Frase says
Yeah, I've definitely watched the Kwanzaa cake clip on YouTube more times than I care to admit. 🙂