Baked Tortellini Casserole

The baked tortellini casserole is a tasty and hearty dish, perfect for special occasions or a family dinner. It is a baked variant of the classic tortellini in broth, typical of Emilian cuisine, and has the advantage of being prepared in advance. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 500 g of fresh tortellini (filled with meat or cheese, depending on preference)
• 250 ml of ready-made or homemade bechamel sauce
• 150 g of diced cooked ham
• 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 200 g of diced mozzarella or fontina cheese
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Nutmeg to taste (optional)
• Butter for greasing the baking dish

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to the package instructions, usually just a few minutes for fresh ones. Drain them al dente and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
3. In the meantime, prepare the bechamel sauce if you have chosen to make it at home. Melt a couple of tablespoons of butter in a small pot, add two tablespoons of flour and toast for a couple of minutes, stirring continuously. Slowly pour in 250 ml of hot milk, always stirring to avoid lumps. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a light boil until the sauce thickens.
4. Take a baking dish and lightly grease it with butter.
5. Place a layer of tortellini on the bottom of the dish, sprinkle with some of the cooked ham, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Pour over some bechamel sauce.
6. Proceed with a second layer of tortellini and repeat the process until all ingredients are used, making sure to finish with a layer of bechamel and Parmesan.
7. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, until the surface is golden and crunchy.
8. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Curiosity

Although the tortellini casserole is a reinterpretation of the classic tortellini, it doesn’t lose any of its elegance and richness of flavor – it’s a tribute to stuffed pasta that always conquers every palate.