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Chicken and Lamb Tortellini Bake

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:

  1. Preheat oven:
    • 350°F (180°C fan). Lightly grease a large baking dish.
  2. 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.
  3. Cook mince:
    • Add chicken and lamb mince with smoked paprika, chipotle, salt, and pepper.
    • Cook until browned, breaking up lumps.
  4. 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.
  5. Cook tortelloni:
    • Boil 2 min less than package instructions, then drain.
  6. Assemble:
    • Combine tortelloni and sauce in baking dish.
    • Top with remaining cheese blend.
  7. Prepare topping:
    • Mix crushed crackers with melted butter, parmesan, paprika, and optional spices.
    • Sprinkle over the top.
  8. Bake:
    • Bake uncovered 20–25 min until golden and bubbling.
    • Optional: broil (grill) 1–2 min for extra crispness.
  9. Rest & serve:
    • Let bake rest 5 mins before serving.
    • Garnish with parsley or basil.