Cheesy Baked [Mushroom] Tortellini

(Recipe from foodnetwork.com, Giadia DeLaurentiis | photos from me!)

Makes 4 servings
Calories/serving* = ~668 (http://sparkrecipes.com)
WW pts/serving* = ~14

* FYI, calories and WW pts are for original recipe. My substitutions/changes might make it higher or lower.

INGREDIENTS

Olive oil
2 cups marinara sauce (I used spaghetti sauce)
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves (I used 1 tsp dried thyme)
1 pound pre-made cheese tortellini (I used Buitoni 3 cheese tortellini)
2 ounces thinly sliced smoked mozzarella (I used shredded mozzarella)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
2 cup fresh mushrooms, rough chop

[NOTES: I wasn’t sure how to substitute fresh for dried herbs but next time I think I will use the full 2 tsp of thyme for more added flavor. You could barely taste it with 1 tsp IMO.]

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil an 8 by 8 by 2-inch baking dish.

Whisk the sauce, mascarpone cheese, parsley, and thyme in a large bowl to blend. Fold in mushrooms. Cook the tortellini in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain. Add the tortellini to the sauce and toss to coat.

[NOTES: I think next time I’ll divide the mozza cheese between layers of tortellini/sauce mixture to create more equal ratio of cheese all over ;)]

Transfer the tortellini mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top the mixture with the smoked mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheeses on top melt, about 30 minutes.

ENJOY! :)

Husband rating: A/A+
He really liked it but requested some protein when I bake it again.

Wifey rating: A/A+
This was so good. Cheese and pasta could never be bad. :)