Baked Tortellini (Easy and Cheesy!)

Name: Baked Tortellini (Easy and Cheesy!)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 10 oz package of fresh cheese tortellini; 2 medium sized zucchini – about 2 cups – diced into quarters; 1 tbs olive oil; 2 cloves of garlic minced; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 4 packed cups of baby spinach; 1 25 oz jar of tomato sauce – I used the Silver Palate brand marinara sauce; 1/3 cup of ricotta; 2/3 cup of grated parmesan cheese; 1 1/2 cup of grated mozzarella cheese; Fresh basil or parsley to garnish

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This baked cheese tortellini is easy to make and a family favorite. Fresh tortellini is baked in tomato sauce with lots of cheese and veggies to make a hearty vegetarian casserole perfect for a busy night.

I love making baked pasta dishes on cold winter nights – it’s an easy dinner idea that the whole family will enjoy.

My favorite to make is a cheese baked tortellini casserole – a hearty vegetarian baked casserole full of tortellini, healthy veggies, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese.

This baked tortellini casserole is easy to make and everyone will love it. I added some veggies to balance out all the cheese – but the cheese is the best part and what makes baked tortellini so good!

If you’re looking for other easy pasta recipes – try this ravioli with asparagus or this pasta with cherry tomatoes and spinach.

Baked Tortellini in a white bowl with a fork.

Why I’m sharing this recipe

Comfort food that everyone enjoys: Everyone loves this cheesy baked tortellini! This a great recipe for a meatless Monday meal to share with your family.

Feeds a crowd: This comforting baked tortellini recipe is a family favorite.

Tasty leftovers: Leftovers from this tortellini casserole are perfect for an easy lunch the next day.

Key Ingredients

Tortellini – I used fresh cheese tortellini (you can find it in your supermarket’s refrigerated section). You can use any type of tortellini that you and your family enjoys.

Cheese – There are three types of cheese in this recipe – creamy ricotta, grated parmesan, and easy-to-melt mozzarella.

Jarred tomato sauce – I like the marinara sauce made by either Rao’s or the Silver Palate brand. Use your favorite!

Vegetables – I added sautéed zucchini and spinach to try and balance out all the cheese in this recipe.

Step by step instruction

This cheesy baked tortellini recipe is easy to put together. Just take the time to chop up the zucchini and grate the cheese before you begin.

Like all fast and easy dishes, gather up all your ingredients and do all your prep work before you begin making this recipe. This will make it quick and easy to put the casserole together.

The recipe steps below are a visual guide on how to make this recipe – a printable recipe card and complete instructions can be found at the bottom of the post.

Beginning steps for making baked tortellini.

Step one: Sauté zucchini and spinach in a large sauté pan over medium heat until soft in a large skillet.
Step two: Cook tortellini in a large pot of boiling water and then drain.
Step three: Add tomato sauce to a large bowl and add the parmesan cheese and ricotta.
Step four: Stir parmesan cheese and ricotta into the tomato sauce to combine.

Final steps for making baked tortellini.

Step five: Add cooked veggies and cooked tortellini to the tomato sauce.
Step six: Stir to combine all.
Step seven: Add tortellini and veggie mixture to a casserole pan.
Step eight: Sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese and parmesan and bake until cheese is melted and golden brown.

Two white bowls with Baked Tortellini next to a casserole pan.

Tips for making this recipe

Can I make this ahead of time? This is a great make-ahead recipe. You can assemble this recipe in a casserole dish a day or so before and store it in the fridge tightly wrapped in tin foil until ready to bake. When ready to bake, remember to remove the tin foil.
What kind of pan should I use? I used a 10 x 8 inch baking dish that was 2 inches deep.
The cheesy topping isn’t a golden brown color – what can I do? If the top doesn’t look golden brown once the casserole is cooked then you can put it under the broiler for 60 seconds or so – just watch it closely to make sure it doesn’t burn.

Variations

What kind of tortellini can I use? You can use any type of tortellini. I used cheese tortellini but spinach or mushroom tortellini would be good options.
What kind of cheese can I use? Ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella are a must for making this recipe. You can try swapping out the mozzarella with smoked mozzarella for a richer, smokier flavor.
What kind of vegetables can I add? I added zucchini and spinach, but you can add any veggies that you like – asparagus or broccoli would work well – just make sure to cook them until they are soft and tender before adding them to the bowl.
What kind of tomato sauce should I use? A good quality tomato sauce is easy to find at the grocery store. I like to use marinara sauce for this recipe but any type of jarred pasta sauce will work well. If you like things spicy, a jar of fire-roasted tomato sauce might be a good addition.
What can I serve with this recipe? I like to serve this with a green salad and some garlic bread.

FAQ

Is fresh, frozen, or dried tortellini best for this recipe?

You can use either one. I used fresh tortellini from Trader Joe’s. You just need to cook the tortellini as per the package directions before adding it to

How long does this baked tortellini recipe take to make?

The total time to make this recipe is 50 minutes with 15 minutes of prep time and 35 minutes to bake in the oven.

What is the cooking time for tortellini?

The tortellini is cooked in boiling water for 5 minutes before being drained and added to the sauce, cheese, and vegetables and baked in the oven.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes! I wrap individual portions in tin foil and freeze them. Easy to defrost and make on a busy weeknight!

How do I reheat baked tortellini?

You can bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes until warmed through. You can also use the microwave to reheat it. You can add a little extra tomato sauce if it seems dry.

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Nutritional information is generated from an online nutritional calculator. This information is provided as a courtesy only and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Ingredients can vary and Green Valley Kitchen makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.