Enjoy this creamy Oven Baked Tortellini dish when you need a super easy, cozy family dinner! You only need 6 ingredients for this versatile comfort food.
Baked pastas have long been a favorite in our home because they are simple, cozy, and versatile. Tortellini adds a heartiness that makes it super filling, too. To get this just right, I tested these ratios for the perfect consistency and a reliable texture throughout. Think of this as your comfort food “home base” recipe, and it can easily be jazzed up with different proteins, seasonings, sauces, even vegetables if you like! The sauce thickens up beautifully, and you’ll never deal with mushy pasta or dry edges.
Reasons You’re Going to Love This Baked Tortellini
- Super Easy – This doesn’t require any complicated cooking techniques, so it’s great for beginner cooks for families who like to cook together.
- Only 6 Ingredients – We stuck to the basics for reliable flavor, little-to-no prep, and to keep it budget friendly.
- Ultimate Comfort Food – These are common, beloved flavor combinations that will make your house smell amazing and bring on the cozy, welcoming vibes.
Baked Cheese Tortellini Ingredients
- Italian Sausage – I used pork, but you could use chicken or turkey sausage to make it leaner.
- Marinara Sauce, Heavy Whipping Cream, and Pesto – Homemade or store-bought sauces will work great.
- Tortellini – Uncooked. I used gluten-free cheese tortellini, but you can use your preferred variety.
- Mozzarella – Shredded. A combination of Italian cheeses would add nice flavor, too.
- Optional garnishes: chopped fresh herbs, parmesan, cracked pepper, etc.
How to Make Baked Tortellini Casserole
This recipe is very simple, you’ll just need a large skillet and a 2-quart baking dish.
- Place a deep skillet over medium heat while the oven preheats to 350 degrees F. Cook the sausage in the hot skillet, breaking it up as the meat browns. Drain off excess grease.
- Stir in your marinara, heavy cream, and pesto sauce. Bring this mixture to a simmer, allowing it to simmer for 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally, allowing the liquid to reduce a bit.
- Stir in your tortellini to coat, then transfer the meat, sauce, and pasta into a lightly greased, 2-quart baking dish. Add shredded cheese on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, then remove from the oven when the cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbly.
Cheesy Baked Tortellini Variations
There are so many different ways you could make this your own!
- Use different proteins. Juicy sliced chicken, spicy meatballs, or well-seasoned turkey could be delicious.
- Switch up the sauce. If you want it more creamy and less tomatoey, consider replacing half of the marinara sauce with alfredo sauce!
- Add vegetables. Sauté chopped peppers, sliced mushrooms, onions, garlic, etc. after you brown the meat to bulk it up. Greens like spinach or basil could be stirred into the sauce for 2 minute before baking, too.
How to Serve Baked Tortellini
We like this topped with fresh herbs, a little parmesan. For a full meal, serve with a simple salad, a homemade vinaigrette dressing recipe, and air fry croutons. The perfect appetizer to pair with it: Air Fryer Eggplant.
Baked Tortellini Casserole Storage
- Fridge: Cover tightly and store up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Follow all instructions, then store in freezer-safe container instead of baking dish. Cover tightly, label, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before covering with cheese and baking as directed.
- Reheating: Individual servings reheat best in the microwave (50% power, 1-minute increments), but the full casserole can be reheated (covered) in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through.
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Cheesy Baked Tortellini
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Equipment
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deep skillet
-
2-quart baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons pesto
- 1 9-ounce package tortellini uncooked
- 1 ½ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
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In a large, deep skillet brown the Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking up as you go. Drain off the grease.
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Add the marinara, heavy whipping cream and pesto. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow the marinara to simmer 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced a little. This ensures your final dish will not have too much liquid.
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Add the tortellini and stir until coated.
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Transfer the tortellini to a greased 2 quart baking dish, top with cheese
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Bake 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and gold and bubbly.