Tortellini Casserole

ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

1 cup crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)

1 tbsp. tomato paste

1/2 tsp. each dried thyme, basil and oregano

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 lb. tortellini (meat or cheese, your choice)

1 bunch broccoli, trimmed and cut into chunks

2 cups grated marble or cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

directions:

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan then add garlic and onion.  Cook for 3 to 4 min until fragrant and tender.

2. Sprinkle with flour and cook 3 to 4 min longer but do not brown. Then whisk in milk and bring to a boil.

3. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, salt and pepper and cook for 5 min.  Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

4. Meanwhile, cook tortellini in a large pot of boiling water for 3 min.

5. Add broccoli and continue to cook for 5 min longer, then drain well.

6. Combine drained tortellini mixture with sauce. 

7. Add marble or cheddar cheese then transfer mixture to a 3 qt baking dish.

8. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 min or until hot and lightly browned. 

This is a fantastic recipe that tastes almost exactly like the cheese cappeletti recipe from East Side Marios!