Pesto Tortellini Bake Freezer Meal

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 45

Defrost Time: 1

Total Time: 1 1

Servings:

Camping For Foodies Dinner Camping Recipes: This Pesto Tortellini Bake is the perfect make-ahead freezer meal you just "dump and bake" at camp.

2 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed (or shredded rotisserie chicken )
1 (20 oz) package cheese tortellini frozen or fresh tortellini
1 (16 oz) jar Alfredo sauce
1 (8 oz) jar basil pesto use your favorite store-bought pesto or try my easy Basil Homemade Pesto
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 (10 oz) carton grape tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Label a gallon-sized large plastic freezer bag with the recipe name, date and cooking instructions.
Into the freezer bag, add the cooked cubed or shredded chicken, uncooked tortellini, Alfredo sauce, basil pesto sauce, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, grape tomatoes, black pepper and salt. (see Note #1)
Work as much air from the bag as possible and seal tightly.
Use your hands to gently squeeze the bag to mix all the ingredients together.
Freeze the bag flat for up to 3 months.

To cook, thaw the chicken tortellini mixture in a refrigerator or cooler overnight. (Or, quick thaw by placing the sealed bag in cold water.)
Let bag sit out at room temperature while the oven is being preheated.
Preheat 12-inch Dutch oven to 350 F degrees (25 total coals = 17 on top of the lid/8 below the bottom of the oven). (see Note #2)
Pour the defrosted mixture into the preheated oven. Flatten into an even layer.
Cover pot and bake 45-50 minutes, or until the tortellini is fully cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Turn the oven and the lid 1/4 turns in opposite directions every 15 minutes to ensure even baking.
Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.

If you'd like to use a homemade Easy Basil Pesto, try this one. https://www.campingforfoodies.com/basil-pesto-fresh-and-freezable-camp-recipe/
For conventional or RV oven baking, use 9x13 baking dish and cover pan with foil to bake.