Description
Marry Me Chicken Tortellini is a rich, creamy, and comforting baked pasta dish featuring succulent rotisserie chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach in a flavorful Parmesan cream sauce, all baked to perfection in an oven-safe skillet. This easy-to-make recipe combines classic Italian flavors with convenience, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (plus 1 tbsp oil, see note 1)
- 8 ounces mushrooms (thinly sliced, preferably Baby Bella)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1–1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 7/8 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided: 2 tbsp for sauce, 3 tbsp for topping)
- 9 ounces refrigerated Rana’s tortellini
- 1–1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (coarsely chopped)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Ingredients: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Gather all ingredients to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Cook Vegetables: In a large (3.5 quart) oven-safe pan over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil reserved from the sun-dried tomatoes. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2–3 minutes to release their flavor. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the cooked veggies along with their liquid to a separate plate.
- Make the Cream Sauce: In the same pan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk briskly until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking and whisking constantly for 1–2 minutes to form a roux. Stir in Italian seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Finish the Sauce: Gradually pour in the whole milk and chicken broth while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until it thickens slightly, about 3–5 minutes. Lower the heat to low and add Parmesan cheese in 2 tablespoon increments, stirring continuously until completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine and Layer: Return the cooked mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic along with their accumulated juices to the pan. Add shredded rotisserie chicken, refrigerated tortellini, and chopped spinach. Gently stir to combine everything, making sure the tortellini is submerged evenly in the sauce and spreading into an even layer.
- Bake the Dish: Place the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes to allow the tortellini to cook through and absorb flavors. Remove the pan from the oven, stir all the ingredients well, and press everything back into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top and return to the oven to bake for an additional 3 minutes until cheese melts and lightly browns.
- Serve: Remove from oven, season with additional salt and pepper if needed, and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor as the tortellini will continue absorbing sauce if left to sit.
Notes
- The olive oil packed with sun-dried tomatoes is used to sauté the mushrooms and adds extra flavor. Reserve 1 tablespoon before draining the tomatoes.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor.
- You can substitute fresh or frozen tortellini if refrigerated is unavailable, adjusting bake times as needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- For a spicy kick, adjust the red pepper flakes to your preference or omit for mild flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Tortellini recipe, creamy chicken pasta, baked pasta dish, Italian comfort food, rotisserie chicken recipe
