It's time to put your Thanksgiving turkey (or chicken) leftovers to good use in this Baked Tortellini with Turkey, Butternut Squash & Chard recipe.
Baked Tortellini with Turkey, Butternut Squash & Chard Recipe
Let's set the scene for the day after Thanksgiving. Now that the festivities are over, you're likely lying on the couch, sweatpants on, rockin' the bedhead , surrounded by magazines you've been hoping to read for months. (Unless you're one of those ambitious Black Friday shoppers, which I am definitely not.) You did enough cooking the day before to last you a year and now you don't want to make anything that requires hours of effort or pounds of butter. So, let's put those turkey leftovers to good use!
If I had to choose my favorite Thanksgiving turkey leftover recipes, it would be a close call between this baked tortellini casserole and my family's all-time favorite Light Turkey & Corn Chowder. And don't feel that these recipes need to be relegated to Thanksgiving weekend. They can be made any day of the year with leftover cooked chicken.
If you're worried about your family's reaction to this baked pasta dish, since it's packed with veggies that are typically shunned by the younger set, let me tell you that my boys went back for three (!!!) helpings. They had no idea that there was any butternut squash mixed into the sauce and one of them chose to simply pick around the Swiss chard. That boy will eat salad until the cows come home, but if you cook the greens, he's out.
The baked tortellini recipe:
This recipe is dead simple to put together. And with only eight ingredients, there's very little prep involved, particularly if you buy pre-cubed butternut squash at the grocery store.
As far as the tortellini goes, you can use white, green or orange cheese tortellini, or a combination of all three. The more colorful the better!
As good as the tortellini/turkey/squash combo is, it's the topping that adds something really special. Chop some pecans, then toss them with minced fresh sage and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on top of the casserole before baking. Crunchy, toasty and a little salty. Perfection!
Other recipes with leftover turkey:
Light Turkey (or Chicken) & Corn Chowder
Leftover Turkey (or Chicken) & Potato Pizza
Leftover Turkey Lasagna Rolls with Sun Dried Tomatoes & Spinach
Baked Tortellini with Turkey, Butternut Squash & Chard Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups butternut squash cubes about ½ inch cubes
- 16 ounces cheese tortellini
- 3 cups tomato sauce divided
- 3 cups chopped turkey white & dark meat
- 2 ½ cups Swiss chard strips cut crosswise
Topping:
- ½ cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the butternut squash cubes and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the squash to a bowl and mash with the back of a fork. Set aside.
- Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes less than directed by package instructions. Drain the tortellini and transfer to a large bowl.
- To the tortellini, add 1 cup tomato sauce, mashed butternut squash, turkey (or chicken) and chard. Stir to combine.
- Spread ¾ cup tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9- by 12-inch (or 9- by 13 inch) baking dish.
- Transfer half or the tortellini mixture to the baking dish and spread evenly. Top with ¾ cup tomato sauce.
- Transfer the remaining tortellini mixture to the baking dish, spreading evenly. Spread remaining ¾ cup tomato sauce over top.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly on top of the tortellini. Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through, about 30 minutes. Serve.
The Topping:
- In a medium bowl, stir together the Parmesan cheese, sage and pecans.
Notes
Nutrition
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Simone D
We had some leftover chicken from our Friday night dinner, so I made this on Saturday. So dang good! My kids barely noticed the butternut squash and everyone loved the flavor.
Agness of Run Agness Run
This is a very appetizing dish with a bunch of awesome ingredients, Dara. I especially loved the topping part. Is it possible to also add Cheddar cheese in addition to Parmesan?
Lola
Well,I'm afraid I don't have all the ingredients at home. No tortellini : ( Can you suggest a substitute? maybe egg noodles or penne pasta? THANKS
Dara
Yes, you could certainly substitute a plain (non-filled) pasta, but it won't be quite the same because you'll be missing the taste of the filling. Ravioli would be a good substitute for the tortellini.
Lola
hmmmm, same problem with ravioli (don't stock it- it's also filled, no?) I think there are enough yummy ingredients that it'll be good with plain pasta. THANKS
Megan {Country Cleaver}
How did I just see this on Pinterest NOW?!?! I've been missing out and this looks scrumptious Dara!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Megan! It's one I make every year with our turkey leftovers.
marla
Love this recipe! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post 🙂
Marla
Love all the squash you have been using 🙂
Marina {Yummy Mummy}
These are literally all my favorite ingredients in one beautiful baked dish! Definitely making this!
Magic of Spice
What a great combination of flavors...beautiful dish!
Diane {Created by Diane}
sounds great, love leftover dishes 🙂