Spinach & Bacon Crumble Tortellini

the Story

This spinach and bacon crumble tortellini is a savory, comforting dish that’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal. It starts with cheese-filled tortellini, cooked until just tender, then tossed in a creamy garlic Parmesan Cheddar sauce. Sauteed Spinach is added into the mixture, bringing a pop of color and earthy flavor. Crispy bacon is mixed with breadcrumbs and butter, and crumbled on top, adding a smoky, salty crunch that complements the rich sauce. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper.

the Ingredients

• (2) 10 Oz. Packages of Cheese Tortellini, or (1) Pound (Depending on Brand's Packaging)

• 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

• 3 Cartons Low Sodium Chicken Broth (For boiling Tortellini)

• 1 Cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth

• Roasted Garlic (from One Garlic Head)

• 7 Oz. (or 1 Block) of Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar

  • Or, any Aged Cheddar that offers hints of Parmesan Cheese

• 1/2 Cup of Parmesan Cheese

  • Trader Joe's offers a Truffle Parmesan Cheese that's delicious!

• (1) 12 oz. Package Uncured Apple Smoked Bacon, cooked, and crumbled

• 1/2 Cup - 1 Cup of Panko Breadcrumbs

• 3 Tbsp of Butter, Melted (For the Breadcrumbs)

• 3 Tbsp of Butter (For the Sauce)

• 1/2 Tsp Smoked Paprika, for the Bacon

• 1/2 Tsp Chili Powder, for the Bacon

• Onion Salt, to taste, for the Spinach

• Garlic Powder, to taste, for the Spinach

• Olive Oil, for Sauteing Spinach

the Instructions

Roasting the Garlic Head

• Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees.

• Slice the top off the head of garlic, exposing all the cloves. Peel off any excess wrapping. Place the head on a piece of foil and drizzle Olive Oil (about 3 Tablespoons) over the garlic until all surfaces of garlic are covered. Tightly wrap the foil around the garlic, and place on a baking sheet in the oven. Roast for 50 - 60 minutes. Once cool enough, carefully unwrap the foil from the garlic, and squeeze out the roasted garlic from the cloves onto a cutting board and mash with a knife until the consistency turns into a paste-like spread. Set aside.

Sauteing the Spinach

• In a large skillet, drizzle the Olive Oil and set the temperature to medium heat. Add the Baby Spinach and season with Onion Salt and Garlic Powder. Sauté the Spinach until fully wilted. Then, drain any excess oil and place the cooked spinach on a cutting board to chop into finer pieces. Set aside.

Frying the Bacon

• Using the same large skillet, cook the bacon according to the package instructions. Drain any excess fat, crumble into small pieces.

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled bacon, melted butter, and panko breadcrumbs, and mix well. Set aside.

Cooking the Tortellini

• In a large pot, combine the cartons of Chicken Broth and bring to a boil.

• Add the Tortellini and gently boil according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Cooking the Parmesan Cheddar Sauce

• Using the same large skillet (wipe off any excess grease from the bacon), add the butter and set the temperature to medium heat.

• Once the butter has melted, add the cream, broth, roasted garlic, and stir occasionally until the sauce begins to thicken.

• Next, add the Cheddar cheese and Parmesan Cheese and stir until both cheeses have fully melted into the sauce.

• Next, add the sauteed spinach and stir until the spinach has fully mixed into the sauce.

• Next, add the Tortellini to the sauce mixture and gently stir until well well mixed.

The Finale

• Make sure the Oven is still preheated to 350 Degrees.

• Grease a casserole dish. We chose to grease (2) 8x8 baking dishes with nonstick cooking spray, as we're a Family of 2, and this method guarantees that we can bake the Tortellini twice, while having it taste as fresh as the day it was made.

• Spread the Tortellini and Sauce Mixture into both casserole dishes until even.

• Top the Tortellini with the Bacon Crumble Mixture and spread evenly.

• Add a small amount of Parmesan Cheese to fill any voids where tortellini may be exposed.

• Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes.

• Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy!