Tortellini Torta

Ingredients

• 3 eggplant (about 1 lb. each)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• 1 onion (about 1/2 lb.), chopped
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 6 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
• 3 cups canned tomato-based pasta sauce
• 3 packages (9 oz. each) fresh cheese-filled tortellini
• 2 cups (1/2 lb.) shredded jack cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons fine dry bread crumbs

Preparation

1. 1. Rinse eggplant; trim off and discard stems. Cut eggplant into 1/2-inch cubes.
2. 2. In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, combine eggplant, garlic, onion, 1 cup broth, and 4 tablespoons basil. Cover and bring to a boil. Boil, stirring often, until eggplant mashes very easily when pressed, 20 to 25 minutes.
3. 3. Meanwhile, in a 4- to 5-quart pan over medium-high heat, bring pasta sauce and remaining broth to boiling, stirring often. Add tortellini and stir often until pasta is barely tender to bite, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in jack cheese and 6 tablespoons parmesan cheese.
4. 4. Butter sides and bottom of a 9-inch cheesecake pan with removable rim. Dust pan with bread crumbs. Spoon 1/2 of the tortellini mixture into pan and spread level. Top tortellini with eggplant, spread level, then add remaining tortellini and spread level. If making ahead, cover and chill up to 1 day.
5. 5. Bake, covered, in a 350° oven for 20 minutes (50 minutes if chilled). Uncover and bake until hot in center (about 130° on a thermometer), 10 to 15 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes.
6. 6. Run a knife between pan rim and pasta; remove pan rim. Sprinkle pie with remaining parmesan cheese and basil. Cut into wedges.