Lightened Up Baked Tortellini

Servings: 6

Serving Size: 1/6th of Pan

WW Points+: 8

I love this meal. It was actually one of the first dinners I ever cooked for my family and friends. This recipe is adapted from Giada de Laurentiis' Every Day Italian on the Food Network. I cut back on the amount of tortellini and also used fat free ricotta and fat free cream cheese in the sauce. Instead of using whole milk mozzarella, I used Sargento Reduced Fat Italian blend cheese, as well as a fat free grated parmesan to reduce the points+ and fat. I also used a store bought tortellini and chose the Buitoni Spinach variety with cheese. This came in 9 oz packages, so I have leftover tortellini! I also added fresh basil to this because I love basil :)

This meal is very easy to get on the table in regards to prep work. It takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and then you just pop it in the oven and it is done in 30 minutes.

It is also a very filling meal. My boyfriend had 2 servings but 1 was perfect for me. You can serve it with a green salad and light italian dressing for a complete meal. 

Enjoy!

Inredients:

• Cooking Spray
• 12 ounces uncooked Buitoni Spinach and Cheese Tortellini
• 2 cups store bought Marinara Sauce
• 2 tbsp Fat Free Cream Cheese
• 2 tbsp Fat Free Ricotta Cheese
• 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, Chopped
• 1 tbsp Fresh Basil, Chopped
• 2 tsp Fresh Thyme, Chopped
• 4 cups Fresh Baby Spinach
• 1/2 cup Sargento Reduced Fat Shredded 4 Cheese Italian
• 2 tbsp Fat Free Grated Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray. 


Add Marinara, Cream Cheese, and Ricotta to a medium sauce pan. Heat until the cheese has melted and the sauce is completely blended. Stir in chopped Parsley, Basil, and Thyme. 

While the sauce is heating, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add Tortellini and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. 

Add cooked Tortellini to the pot of sauce and carefully toss to coat. Next, add the Baby Spinach, 1 cup at a time until all has wilted. 

Transfer the Tortellini, Sauce, and Spinach mixture to the baking dish. 

Top with the Shredded Cheese and the Parmesan Cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbly. 

If you want, remove foil and turn the oven to broil. Place uncovered dish back in oven and broil until the cheese is slightly brown and crispy. 

Remove from oven and let stand for about 5 minutes. Cut into 6 portions and enjoy!


Love, Monica