Baked Pasta

[julia]

I bought some 3 cheese tortellini today and wanted to make a baked dish next Thursday that can be reheated on Friday. Our neighbours are going to do the appetizers and then we'll go for a sale on their boat - so I'm looking for something I can do with the tortellini to have after the sail. I was thinking of something baked. Any ideas? Would Alfredo sauce do in this case?

[Alisa]

Here's a CL recipe that could easily be adapted for tortellini. I've pre-prepared it in the past up to a day before, and popped it into the oven 30 mins. before serving time.
Hope this helps!
P.S. Hi from "down east"!


Sicilian Pasta Pie

Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
Cooking spray
2 cups thinly sliced onion
1/2 cup (2 x 1/4-inch) julienne-cut red bell pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups quartered cherry tomato
1/4 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons chopped pitted kalamata olives
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato sprinkles
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
6 cups hot cooked linguine (about 10 ounces uncooked pasta)
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese

Directions
Estimated Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 minutes. Add bell pepper and garlic; sauté 5 minutes. Add cherry tomato; sauté 2 minutes. Add wine, olives, tomato sprinkles, black pepper, and diced tomatoes; reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Combine tomato mixture and pasta in a bowl; toss to coat.

Preheat oven to 350º.
Wipe skillet with paper towels; recoat with cooking spray and 1 teaspoon oil. Arrange cheese in skillet; top with pasta mixture. Cover in foil
coated with cooking spray, pressing firmly to pack. Wrap handle of skillet with foil; bake at 350º for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and
let stand for 10 minutes. Place a large plate upside down on top of skillet; invert onto plate. Cut into 6 wedges.

[kima]

Totally off topic but just wanted to say that Nova Scotia is at the top of my travel wish list! Hi from the other coast of this beautiful country of ours!!:)

[Alisa]

Originally posted by kima
Totally off topic but just wanted to say that Nova Scotia is at the top of my travel wish list! Hi from the other coast of this beautiful country of ours!!:)

Isn't it though? :)
Let me know if you need any travel tips!
Alisa

[kima]

We are tentatively planning a drive across Canada next fall so will definately get in touch with you! Thanks for the offer. If you ever head this way let me know!

[julia]

Hi Alisa, I'm originally from New Brunswick, so you are almost a neighbour. Thanks for the recipe! Where are you in NS, I'm from outside of Moncton.

[Alisa]

Wow, this feels like a cozy family gathering!
Julia,
I'm originally from Newfoundland - a tiny town about an hour outside St.John's. My husband is in the Air Force and we were posted to the Annapolis Valley here in Nova Scotia about 7 years ago. It's beautiful here but we miss the ocean - we're a full ten minute drive away!!!
I've always wanted to 'see" New Brunswick, unfortunately we tend to zoom through it on our way to Ontario - we've vowed to visit St.Andrew's-By-The-Sea someday. This country is just too **** big.

Kima,
Are you planning to visit Newfoundland? It's the best part...

[tammy/MN]

BTW-was wondering if you could post the nutritional data for this. i too bought tortellini this week to make the CL's salad from aug issue. can't make up my mind.

[Alisa]

Here you go Tammy!

6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per Serving):

270 calories
47.5 g carbohydrates
8 mg cholesteral
5.2 g fat
271 mg sodium
9.3 g protein
88 g calcium
2.8 g iron
4.1 g fiber