Description
Baked Tortellini Casserole is a comforting, cheesy pasta bake featuring tender cheese-filled tortellini combined with savory marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, and Italian seasonings. This easy-to-make Italian-American main course is perfect for a family dinner that requires minimal preparation yet delivers rich, hearty flavors.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 20 oz (570 g) refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
Sauce and Cheese
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
Seasonings and Herbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole later.
- Cook the tortellini: Boil the refrigerated or frozen tortellini according to the package instructions until just tender. Drain the pasta thoroughly to avoid excess water in the casserole.
- Prepare the sauce mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper to create a well-seasoned sauce.
- Toss tortellini with sauce and ricotta: Mix the cooked tortellini with the seasoned marinara sauce and ricotta cheese to evenly coat the pasta and add creamy texture.
- Assemble the casserole: Lightly grease a baking dish and transfer the tortellini mixture into it, spreading evenly.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the tortellini to create a golden, bubbly crust when baked.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cheese to melt.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese on top is golden brown and bubbling beautifully.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil on top for a burst of herbal freshness and serve the casserole warm for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the sauce for extra protein and a heartier meal.
- Incorporate vegetables like spinach or zucchini into the casserole for added nutrition and flavor complexity.
- Avoid overcooking the tortellini during boiling to prevent mushiness after baking.
- Try a mix of mozzarella and provolone cheese on top for deeper cheesy flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
