🧀🍅 Comfort in a Dish: Creamy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe 🍅🧀
If you’re craving the ultimate cozy comfort food, let us introduce you to a dish that brings all the warm, cheesy, saucy goodness your heart desires: Creamy Baked Tortellini Casserole. This rich and satisfying casserole combines cheese-stuffed tortellini with a creamy tomato-based sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and savory Italian herbs — then bakes to bubbly, golden perfection. It’s a weeknight winner and a crowd favorite!
Perfect for busy families or make-ahead meals, this baked pasta dish is simple to assemble and delivers major flavor with minimal effort.
🥘 What You’ll Need:
– 1 (20 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 lb ground Italian sausage (optional for extra heartiness)
– 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
2. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook tortellini just until al dente, about 2-3 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside. (They’ll finish cooking in the oven!)
3. While the tortellini cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. (Optional) Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
6. Stir in marinara sauce and heavy cream. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
7. Stir cooked tortellini into the sauce and mix until well coated.
8. Pour the creamy tortellini mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly with a lightly golden top.
10. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
🔁 Swap & Customize:
– Vegetarian? Skip the sausage and add mushrooms or spinach for added flavor.
– Want it spicy? Toss in red pepper flakes or use spicy sausage.
– More cheese? Add dollops of ricotta or stir some into the sauce.
This creamy tortellini casserole is comfort food at its best—easy, crowd-pleasing, and irresistibly cheesy. Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or when you just want to treat yourself to a warm, delicious hug in a bowl.
💬 Tell us below: Would you try this with meat or keep it veggie? Tag a friend you’d make this with! 🍽️ #ComfortFood #TortelliniCasserole #EasyDinnerIdeas #BakedPastaPerfection
