Pesto-Filled Pasta Bake

This is one of those last minute, unplanned, use what ya got recipe that turned out pretty dadgum good!



Get a square casserole dish, the size depends on how much you are making. Drizzle some olive oil on the bottom, set aside. Drizzle some olive oil in the bottom of a medium sized pan, then pour in a can of diced tomatoes. Sprinkle italian seasonings on the tomatoes, if you don't have an all around italian seasoning, parsley, basil or oregano will work just fine. Sprinkle the tomatoes with some kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Saute on medium heat for about 5 minutes, this gives the tomatoes a more condensed, rich flavor. Pour the tomatoes in the bottom of the casserole dish.

I had some pesto filled pasta that I got at a cool kitchen store in KC, so I used it. Any kind of tortellini will work just fine! Cook it according to the directions, you want the pasta to be al dente (the pasta will still have a bite to it). Pour the pasta over the seasoned tomatoes.

Sprinkle kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper over the pasta and drizzle some olive oil.

Next in a medium sized mixing bowl, stir half a cup each of mayonnaise, softened cream cheese and a cup of fresh grated parmasan cheese, chop three green onions and stir it all together. Spread this mixture evenly over the pasta.

I didn't have any thawed chicken, so I just warmed up a can of chicken and seasoned it with some salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Evenly spread the chicken over the cheese mixture and pop it in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. You want the cheese to be golden and bubbly on top.

Oh so rich! The cheese mixture will make you melt!

VOILA! I hope you enjoy.

P.S. You can change this recipe to whatever you have in your kitchen. You can use regular pasta rather than filled pasta, I had mine on hand and thought it would give it an extra punch! You could use yellow onions rather than green onions, throw in some mushrooms and garlic. Make this dish yours! Enjoy.

Ingredients:

Pasta (filled pasta adds some more flavor!)

Olive oil

Diced canned tomatoes (if you have fresh, use it! Just make sure and saute them)

Chicken

Mayonaise

Cream cheese

Parmesan cheese

Green onions