Santa Fe Chicken Tortellini Casserole
If you are a fan of cheese tortellini, you have to give this Santa Fe Chicken Tortellini Casserole recipe a try. It is the ultimate casserole recipe, that is loaded with tender tortellini, veggies, in a creamy sauce with chicken throughout. The ultimate comfort food recipe to make.
With the cold weather, I’ve been craving comfort food. I know it’s not the best thing to be eating when you’re dieting, but I figure I’m too cold to care. This recipe for Santa Fe Chicken Tortellini Casserole is fairly straightforward to make (though there’s some prep work) and really hits the spot.
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It’s one that comes from my mom’s Betty Crocker Cookbook that has been in our family for a number of years. I always love finding recipes like this that truly transform your mealtime at home. I highly recommend checking out this cookbook, it is loaded with fantastic recipes.
Can I Change Out Vegetables In Chicken Tortellini Casserole
It’s very versatile and you can change up the veggies with what you have on hand or what is in season! I have used zucchini before and that was a fantastic switch. Cauliflower, diced carrots are both great options as well. Feel free to play around with what fits your tastebuds.
Can You Use Cream Instead of Milk in Tortellini Casserole
You bet! The cream will add an extra measure of richness to the dish. Just use the same amount the recipe calls for. Enjoy! I have used both, it just depends on what I have on hand at the time.
What Can I Use in Place of Tortilla Chips
If you don’t have tortilla chips on hand or maybe don’t like them, you can use crushed up crackers, plain chips, or even bread crumbs. The tortilla chips give this dish that Santa Fe flavor, but it doesn’t have to be used in the recipe.
Is Santa Fe Chicken Tortellini Casserole Spicy
The cumin gives it a kick of flavor, but this dish is not spicy. There are always requests for second helpings! If you want to amplify the flavor you can always add in some spice. Whether cayenne seasoning, a splash of hot sauce, etc.
What to Serve with Santa Fe Tortellini Casserole
- Green Salad | We generally reach for a classic side salad with a light dressing. Add whatever toppings you want and dive in. Or if you want do a southwest chopped salad for more Santa Fe flair.
- Bread | If you want to elevate the comfort food flavor, pair some bread with your dish. Whether dinner rolls, crusty bread, or even garlic bread.
- Veggies | I know there are vegetables in the dish, but you can always add even more with a side of roasted or steamed veggies.
How to Make Santa Fe Tortellini Casserole
Start by heating your skillet with oil and sauteing your onions, broccoli, and pepper for around five minutes. You want them to get tender and fragrant. Remove all the veggies on a plate.
In the same skillet, you then add in oil, flour, and mix to create a roux. Once it is smooth slowly add in your milk and chicken broth along with cumin. Heat until it begins to boil, and make sure to stir constantly. Once it boils you can remove from heat. Then toss in your chicken, cooked vegetables, 3/4 cup cheese, and your pasta. Stir and then pour into a 9×13 baking dish.
Bake for 25 minutes. Then remove and top with crushed tortilla chips, rest of cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes. Serve hot!
How to Store Leftover Casserole
You can keep this casserole in the refrigerator for up to three days. Anything after that use your best judgment in terms of if it has gone bad or not.
Best Way to Reheat Santa Fe Casserole
You can either heat in the microwave or opt for the oven. If you heat in the oven, make sure to cover the baking dish so it doesn’t dry out the casserole as it cooks. I just keep it covered the entire time it cooks. Once warmed all the way through, serve and enjoy.
Can You Freeze this Tortellini Casserole
You can freeze this recipe. Simply assemble as you would, leaving off the tortilla chips and added cheese. Then toss in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge the night before you plan to eat. Then warm up in the oven as I recommend above or heat in the microwave.
You’ll also like Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, Chicken a la King and Doritos Casserole.
Santa Fe Chicken Tortellini Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups tortellini uncooked
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 head broccoli cut into flowerets
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 1 yellow pepper chopped
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup milk or cream
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and chopped
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- ½ cup tortilla chips crushed
Instructions
- Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Sauté onions, broccoli and yellow pepper for about 5 minutes until onions are softened and broccoli is tender-crisp. Remove veggie mixture and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoon olive oil and flour and mix together over, low heat until smooth. Add in milk (or cream), chicken broth and cumin and stir. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- Add chicken, veggie mixture, ¾ cup cheese and pasta to the sauce mixture and mix together. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes in a pre-heated 325°F oven. Spread tortilla chips and ¼ cup cheese on top of casserole and return to oven for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let cool 5 minutes and serve hot.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.
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What can you use if you don’t have chicken broth?
You could use water and chicken bouillon. You need a liquid so even water would work in a pinch.
Thanks for sharing yet another wonderful recipe i can’t wait to serve my family!
Just wanted you to know that I featured this as part of a weeknight meal ideas round up from ideas from the create link inspire party. Thanks for joining in on the party with us! Looking forward to trying this recipe!
I am pinning this one it looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Looks great & a casserole I’d love to try for the family. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & sharing.
This would be a great addition to Easter Brunch!
This look sooooo delicious ! I will put this recipe on my menu for next weekend. I’m sure all the family will enjoy it ! thank’s for sharing 🙂
Oh this would so hit the spot right now- if only carbs were on my diet…
What a wonderful savory dish! It looks great. 🙂
Oh yummy this is my kind of food
Yummy,you always have the best recipes
Yummy! I’ll try it! Thanks for the recipe!
Looks great! Pinning this one.
This sounds delicious! We’d love it if you’d shared it at our Found & Foraged link up party. This Friday at 8PM Central Time…normally it’s Saturdays at 8PM but InLinkz is having some sort of maintenance server update during our normal party time. Anyhoo, we’d love to see you at http://houseofhipsters.com/