Servings
Font
Back
Tortellini Mac and Cheese
4.9 from 57 votes

Tortellini Mac and Cheese

Tortellini Mac and Cheese combines cooked tortellini with a rich cheddar cheese sauce topped with riced cauliflower. The casserole bakes until bubbly and the cauliflower topping crisps slightly under the broiler. This dish offers a comforting texture contrast with creamy pasta and a mild vegetable crust, suitable as a cozy main or side dish.

Servings: 6 -8
Course: Others

Ingredients

  • 1 16 ounce tortellini fresh, frozen or dried, I used fresh spinach and cheese, package
CHEESE SAUCE
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, extra sharp
  • black pepper to taste
  • salt to taste
TOPPING
  • 1/2 cauliflower riced, head

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 7 1/2 x 11 1/2 casserole dish with cooking spray or butter and set aside.
  2. Cook tortellini in boiling water according to packaged directions. Drain and set aside.
  3. For cauliflower topping, cut cauliflower in pieces and put in a food processor or blender. Pulverize until it resembles rice. Steam until softened or microwave on hight for 3 minutes. Set aside.
  4. In a medium sauce pan melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until incorporated. Add milk slowly and continue to whisk as it begins to thicken (approximately 5 minutes). Add cheese and stir until melted and sauce is thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold in tortellini into cheese sauce and put in prepared casserole dish. Add riced cauliflower to the top of the casserole and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. Broil for 1 minute to crisp up the cauliflower topping.

Notes

  • Cook tortellini at the minimum time recommended to avoid over-softening during baking.
  • Riced cauliflower topping adds a vegetable element and becomes crisp when broiled briefly.
  • Use extra sharp cheddar for a richer cheese sauce flavor.
  • Grease the casserole dish well to prevent sticking.
  • Bake until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the topping lightly browned, then broil carefully to crisp the cauliflower.