Warm Tortellini

After my kid started eating mac and cheese I started looking at pasta in a whole new different way. Plain old mac and cheese was just that for me-Plain old. I started searching for ways to jazz it up a bit and then I discovered Tortellini and Ravioli. And the best Tortellini I found was at Trader Joe's. Their Tri-Color mini Tortellini is just perfect for a quick meal for a hungry toddler.

             I discovered that pasta or tortellini or ravioli if made properly can me made for a cold winter night or for a hot summer evening.  And both kind of nights can be filled with warm and fuzzy feelings.

Tortellini with Artichokes and Olives

Tortellini with Artichoke hearts and chicken

Ingredients:

1. 3 cups cheese filled dried tortellini or your faviorite tortellini cooked according to package directions
2. 1 cup or more cooked and chopped chicken
3. 1 bottle marinated hearts of artichokes drained and chopped rough
4. 1/2 can chopped or whole black olives drained
5. 2 tablespoons olive oil
6. 1/2 cup chopped onions
7. 2 garlic cloves minced (leave it, if you are making it for a hot evening)
8. 1/2 teaspoon salt and fesh ground pepper
9. 1 cup marinara sauce (optional)
10. 2 tablespoons Alfredo sauce or Philadelphia Cooking Creme or Sour cream or milk (Optional)

In a pan heat the oil and fry the onions till tender. Add garlic if using and fry for a coupld of minutes. Add cubed zucchini and fry for five minutes. Add chicken and fry for a few minutes. Add artichokes and olives and  and salt and pepper and stir well. If you want a little gravy in the Tortellini add the marinara sauce and the alfredo sauce (or its substitutes) and stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the Tortellini to a bowl and add this mixture over the tortellini. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve warm. Your creamy Tortellini dinner is ready