A Flavorful Weeknight Dinner
Looking for a quick and delicious weeknight meal? Try this Smoked Chicken Tortellini Pasta Bake, a savory dish that combines leftover smoked chicken, fresh tortellini, and a blend of cheeses for a comforting and satisfying dinner.
What is a Pasta Bake?
A pasta bake is a versatile dish that typically includes pre-cooked pasta, meat, pasta sauce, and cheese, all baked together to create a hearty meal. For added convenience, I like to use fresh pasta from the refrigerated section, which doesn’t need pre-cooking since it cooks through with the moisture of the sauce.
To save even more time, I use pre-cooked meat. A rotisserie chicken from the grocery store or leftover shredded chicken or turkey from another meal works perfectly. Fresh vegetables like spinach and cherry tomatoes don’t need pre-cooking and add great flavor and texture.
While most pasta bakes are made in the oven, cooking this one on the smoker adds an extra layer of smoky depth to the flavor. Once you get the hang of this technique, feel free to mix and match ingredients. Try ravioli or cooked ziti instead of tortellini, swap out the alfredo sauce for marinara, or add different vegetables and meats to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- Shredded Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken or smoked chicken, shredded.
- Fresh Tortellini: Found in the refrigerated section, near the deli meats. Spinach and cheese varieties work well.
- Fresh Spinach
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Alfredo Sauce: Available in 15-ounce containers, near the fresh pasta.
- Pesto Sauce: Found next to the fresh pasta, in a 7-ounce container.
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Substitutions: You can replace the shredded chicken with other cooked meats like ground beef or use different cheeses.
How to Smoke a Pasta Bake
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Preheat the Grill/Smoker: Set your grill or smoker to 275°F. For a pellet grill, set it to 275°F. For a Ninja Woodfire Grill, use the smoker setting and then set it to 275°F. For a charcoal grill, push the coals to one side; for a gas grill, turn off one burner to create an indirect heat zone. Use wood chips in a foil pouch if needed for extra smoke flavor.
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Prepare the Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, fresh tortellini, spinach, cherry tomatoes, alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
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Assemble and Cook:
- Pour the mixture into a large cast iron skillet or baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
- Top with an additional 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.
- Place the skillet on the grill and cook for 45 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, increase the grill temperature to 350°F and cook for about 30 minutes. For a more pronounced smoky flavor, lower the temperature to 250°F and cook for about 1 hour.
How to Serve
Once cooked, transfer the skillet to the table and serve the pasta bake with a fresh salad and crusty garlic bread.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for a quick and easy meal.
Enjoy making this flavorful Smoked Chicken Tortellini Pasta Bake! If you give it a try, don’t forget to share your results on Instagram—I’d love to see how it turns out for you.
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