Okay, just for you (because you deserve it), I’m sharing my family’s tortellini casserole recipe. It’s my go-to comfort food when I need something cozy but effortless. With only 15 minutes of prep, this cheesy, crowd-pleasing dish practically makes itself. Let me show you how easy it is!
On those cold, gray days when only something bubbling and cheesy will do, this baked tortellini is my answer. It’s loaded with tender tortellini, a rich, savory meat sauce, and layers of gooey mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan that melt into pure comfort.
When I served this to my daughter and her best friend, they quite literally cheered — so I feel very confident calling this a family favorite in the making. It’s the best kind of casserole: big flavor, minimal prep (just 15 minutes!), no need to boil the tortellini, and only a couple of dishes to wash. Cozy, indulgent, and wildly satisfying — exactly what dinner should be.
Variations on this recipe
Whether you want to use up what’s in the fridge or play with the flavor a bit, this recipe is pretty forgiving (what doesn’t taste good when it’s baked with cheese, sauce, and pasta?!) Here are some of my favorite variations:
- Veggie boost: The easiest way to add a vegetable is by sautéing diced onion before adding your sausage meat the the pan, but you can also sneak in some sauteed mushrooms, or grated zucchini. Or, stir some baby spinach through until it wilts.
- Sauce swap: Add some pesto, as I do in my baked ziti recipe .
- Spicy tortellini bake: If you love a kick of heat, make a spicy marinara sauce.
Can I make baked tortellini ahead of time?
You can! Simply prepare the casserole until it’s ready to bake, then cover it and refrigerate it for 24 hours before baking. I actually really like this method because the flavors in the sauce have time to meld. For safety, when it’s time to bake, put the cold casserole into your oven before turning it on. That way, the casserole and the oven will heat up together, and you won’t risk breaking your casserole dish.
Can I use frozen tortellini?
You can, but the baking time will need to be extended to ensure it’s cooked through. I’d add 10 minutes to the baking time, but it will depend on the brand and size of the tortellini you select.
How do I store leftover tortellini casserole?
Let it cool to room temperature, then transfer to a covered container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
How do I reheat tortellini casserole?
If you’ve frozen your baked tortellini in a ceramic baking dish, let it come to room temperature on the kitchen countertop before baking, or thaw it in the fridge the day before. Then, put it in a preheated oven and enjoy!
Tortellini Casserole (No-Boil & Extra Cheesy!)
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Ingredients
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef (see notes)
- ▢ 3 cups marinara sauce (see notes)
- ▢ 1 cup water (or broth)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon EACH: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder
- ▢ Salt and pepper (to taste)
- ▢ 20 ounces fresh cheese tortellini (see notes)
- ▢ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- ▢ ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ▢ 1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese (see notes)
- ▢ Minced basil or parsley (to serve)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Remove the sausage meat from the casing, add it to the pan, and cook until it is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. If the sausage releases a lot of oil, wipe it out with a paper towel. 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef
- Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked sausage, add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder and then season to taste with salt and pepper. 3 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup water, Salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon EACH: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder
- Add the tortellini to a 9×11 inch baking dish, pour the sauce over the top, add the parmesan and 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and mix well. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar over the top then break apart the ball of mozzarella and scatter it over top. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil. 20 ounces fresh cheese tortellini, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Bake the casserole for 35-40 minutes, or until it is hot and bubbly and the tortellini is soft. Remove the foil and broil for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese turns golden. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with some fresh basil over the top. Minced basil or parsley
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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Tortellini Casserole (No-Boil & Extra Cheesy!)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef , see notes
- 3 cups marinara sauce , see notes
- 1 cup water , or broth
- 1 teaspoon EACH: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder
- Salt and pepper , to taste
- 20 ounces fresh cheese tortellini , see notes
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese , divided
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese , see notes
- Minced basil or parsley , to serve
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Remove the sausage meat from the casing, add it to the pan, and cook until it is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. If the sausage releases a lot of oil, wipe it out with a paper towel. 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef
- Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked sausage, add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder and then season to taste with salt and pepper. 3 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup water, Salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon EACH: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder
- Add the tortellini to a 9x11 inch baking dish, pour the sauce over the top, add the parmesan and 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and mix well. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar over the top then break apart the ball of mozzarella and scatter it over top. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil. 20 ounces fresh cheese tortellini, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Bake the casserole for 35-40 minutes, or until it is hot and bubbly and the tortellini is soft. Remove the foil and broil for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese turns golden. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with some fresh basil over the top. Minced basil or parsley
