Apple & Cheese Tortellini Kugel

This is a take-off on the more common apple noodle kugel [OR more specifically on KITTENCAL's Fantastic Apple-Cranberry Apricot Matzoh Kugel!, here on Zaar], & although it doesn't have the cheddar cheese taste of the good ol' apple-pie-and-cheese [from my childhood], it's a pleasant, mild-tasting variation!

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 4  cups  cooked  cheese tortellini, al dente
• 2  green apples, peeled, cored, sliced
• 1 (21 ounce) can  apple pie filling
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄4 cup  orange juice
• 7  eggs
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1⁄2 cups dried cranberries
• 1 1⁄2 cups  dried apricots, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F & butter the bottom & sides of a 3-quart casserole dish (OR a 13x9-inch glass baking dish).
2. In a bowl, mix together sliced apples, pie filling, brown sugar & orange juice.
3. In a large bowl, thoroughly whisk eggs.
4. To eggs add salt, cinnamon, granulated sugar, melted butter, cranberries & apricots, mixing to combine.
5. Add tortellini and apple mixture to egg mixture; mix well.
6. Pour into prepared casserole dish, then cover with foil.
7. Bake 45 minutes, then remove foil and bake another 20 minutes or so, until apples are tender.
8. Serve at room temperature.