
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- For the bake:
- Tortelloni (filled, cheese/spinach/ricotta): 500 g (1.1 lb / ~4 cups)
- Chicken mince: 250 g (½ lb / ~1 cup)
- Lamb mince: 250 g (½ lb / ~1 cup)
- Onion, finely chopped: 1 medium (~70 g / 2.5 oz / ~½ cup)
- Garlic cloves, minced: 2 (~2 tsp)
- Mushrooms, sliced: 200 g (7 oz / ~2 cups)
- Fresh spinach: 100 g (3.5 oz / ~3 cups)
- Italian seasoning: 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika: 2 tsp
- Chipotle chili powder: ½–1 tsp
- Chili flakes (optional): ½ tsp
- Canned chopped tomatoes: 400 g (14 oz / ~1¾ cups)
- Passata (tomato purée): 200 ml (7 fl oz / ~¾ cup + 1 tbsp)
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Greek yogurt (fat-free) or light sour cream: 50 g (1.75 oz / ~3 tbsp)
- Light cream or evaporated milk (unsweetened): 50 ml (1.7 fl oz / ~3½ tbsp)
- Liquid smoke (optional): 2–3 drops
- Sugar: 1 tsp
- Salt (smoked or regular) and black pepper, to taste
- Cheese blend:
- Mozzarella (reduced-fat), grated: 120 g (4.2 oz / ~1 cup)
- Smoked cheddar (optional), grated: 30 g (1 oz / ~⅓ cup)
- Parmesan, grated: 40 g (1.4 oz / ~⅓ cup) + 1 tbsp (~10 g) for topping
- Ritz cracker topping:
- Ritz crackers, crushed: 80 g (~1 cup)
- Butter, melted: 25 g (2 tbsp)
- Parmesan, grated: 1 tbsp (~10 g / 0.35 oz)
- Smoked paprika: ¼ tsp
- Optional: pinch chipotle chili powder or garlic powder
- Other:
- Olive oil: 1 tbsp (15 ml)
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat oven:
- 350°F (180°C fan). Lightly grease a large baking dish.
- Cook vegetables:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion 3–4 min until softened.
- Add garlic; cook 1 min until fragrant.
- Add mushrooms; cook 5–6 min until softened and liquid mostly evaporates.
- Cook mince:
- Add chicken and lamb mince with smoked paprika, chipotle, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until browned, breaking up lumps.
- Make tomato-cream sauce:
- Stir in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes (if using).
- Add chopped tomatoes, passata, and sugar. Simmer 10–15 min until slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat; stir in Greek yogurt and light cream; add liquid smoke if using.
- Add spinach and cook 2–3 min until wilted.
- Stir in half of the cheese blend.
- Cook tortelloni:
- Boil 2 min less than package instructions, then drain.
- Assemble:
- Combine tortelloni and sauce in baking dish.
- Top with remaining cheese blend.
- Prepare topping:
- Mix crushed crackers with melted butter, parmesan, paprika, and optional spices.
- Sprinkle over the top.
- Bake:
- Bake uncovered 20–25 min until golden and bubbling.
- Optional: broil (grill) 1–2 min for extra crispness.
- Rest & serve:
- Let bake rest 5 mins before serving.
- Garnish with parsley or basil.


