Baked Tortellini Casserole – 5 Ingredients

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Baked tortellini casserole has all the flavors you love in lasagna without all the work! Delicious tortellini bake is comforting, and creamy, and can be prepared in a few minutes.

Suitable for vegetarian diets. 

the finished baked tortellini casserole recipe

Baked tortellini casserole is the perfect solution if you love lasagna but don’t want to go to all that work. This simple dish is made with fresh tortellini, jarred marinara, and layers of cheese. It can easily be customized by adding sautéed vegetables or layers of cooked meat. 

This delicious tortellini bake with cream cheese is vegetarian, kid-friendly, and so comforting. It can be prepared in just a few minutes, which makes it ideal for meal prep. Who doesn’t love a one-pan dish that’s easy to put together, has great flavor, and is a great freezer meal?!

And if your family loves this tortellini recipe as much as mine, then they’ll also love this 5 ingredient Baked Ravioli Casserole or my delicious White Cheddar Mac and Cheese.

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And for a little more inspiration check out this easy Taco Casserole or you could simply make this creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese.

top down view of the baked tortellini casserole cut into individual portions

Why Make This Recipe

  • It’s So Easy – This comforting Italian casserole requires just 5 minutes of prep work and will be on the table in about 30 minutes.  
  • Kid-Friendly – Cheesy pasta and marinara are always a winner with kids but are also appreciated by the rest of the family. Just like this Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole.
  • It’s Customizable – Add meat and veggies to customize this tortellini bake.  
  • Perfect for Meal Prep – Like my easy Tater Tot Casserole, make ahead or freeze this comfort food dish.  

Making casseroles is a great way to save time and money. Check out these casseroles for more flavorful ideas your family will love.  

Ingredient Notes

  • Cream Cheese – A soft cream cheese layer makes this casserole decadent. 
  • Italian Seasoning – Adding additional seasoning brightens the flavor. 
  • Marinara –  Use your favorite store-bought marinara or spaghetti sauce. 
  • Tortellini – Purchase frozen or fresh cheese tortellini. If using dried tortellini found in the pasta aisle, you must cook it according to the package directions. 
  • Basil – Fresh torn or chopped basil adds a bright flavor. 
  • Cheese – Combine shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese for a creamy casserole. 
the ingredients needed for making baked tortellini casserole

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How To Make Baked Tortellini Casserole

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
  2. In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese with Italian seasoning.
  3. Layer the casserole by first adding 3 tablespoons of marinara sauce to the bottom of the baking dish.
  4. Then add half of the tortellini and top with half of the cream cheese.
  5. Next, pour on half of the tomato sauce.
  6. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of chopped basil, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the parmesan cheese.
  7. Repeat the layering process using the rest of the tortellini, cream cheese, marinara sauce, basil, shredded mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
  8. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. 
  9. Remove the foil, and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese turns golden.
  10. Garnish with more basil before serving.
image collage showing some of the steps for making this tortellini bake

Pro Tips 

  • You can use fresh refrigerated tortellini or frozen cheese tortellini to make this casserole. 
  • Dried tortellini will need to be cooked in advance. 
  • Frozen tortellini does not need to be thawed, but you may need to add a few additional minutes to the baking time. 
  • Bring the cream cheese to room temperature. You want it to be very soft, so it is easy to spread. 
  • Like my easy Crockpot Breakfast Casserole, make a double batch and prepare a second casserole to serve or freeze for an easy meal on another day. 
  • This casserole is perfect for sharing with friends and makes a simple holiday meal. 
  • Use ingredients you have on hand, such as leftover vegetables or meat
  • Here are some of my favorite things to use to make this recipe. How many of these do you have already?
a wooden serving spoon removing a portion of the baked tortellini from the dish

Delicious Variations

  • Swap The Tortellini – We used cheese tortellini, but you can use any flavor or style of tortellini. You can also make this casserole using fresh ravioli. 
  • Add Veggies – Sauté your favorite vegetables in olive oil and add them to the casserole. Fresh spinach is a simple and healthy addition.
  • Add Meat – Layer cooked Italian sausage, lean ground beef, ground turkey, or chicken between the tortellini and the marinara layer, or make a meat sauce by adding cooked ground meat to the sauce. 
  • Make It Vegan – Omit the cream cheese and top it with vegan cheese. 
  • Make It Creamy – Use a jar of alfredo sauce instead of marinara. 
a serving spoon scooping out a portion of the baked tortellini casserole

Prep And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and bake when ready. Cover with tin foil and store in the fridge overnight.
  • Store – Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave. 
  • Freeze – Freeze before baking for up to 3 months. Go from freezer to oven, adding additional time as needed.
  • Reheat – Reheat large portions in the oven and individual portions in the microwave.
a bowl filled with baked tortellini sitting next to the casserole dish

FAQs

Can I Use Frozen Tortellini?

This tortellini bake can be made with fresh or frozen tortellini. Simply layer, cover, and bake. If you want to use dried tortellini, you will need to cook it according to the package instructions. Can’t find tortellini? You can also use fresh or frozen ravioli. 

Do I Have To Boil Tortellini Before Cooking?

The beauty of using fresh or frozen tortellini is that it doesn’t need to be boiled beforehand. Layer with sauce and cheese and cover to bake.

Everything will be perfectly tender and delicious. If using dry uncooked tortellini found in the pasta aisle, cook tortellini before adding to the casserole.

How Long To Bake Tortellini Casserole?

This casserole will be baked to perfection in about 30 minutes. When the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted, it’s ready to serve. 

What kind of sauce is best for casserole made with tortellini?

A creamy sauce, such as Alfredo or a combination of marinara and Alfredo sauce, works well in this casserole. You can also get creative with your sauce by using a pesto or tomato-based sauce, depending on your preference.

How can I make this more flavorful?

You can add ingredients like cooked sausage, ground beef, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or fresh herbs like basil and parsley to enhance the flavor of your tortellini casserole.

top down view of the completed tortellini bake inside the casserole dish

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close up view of the baked tortellini casserole

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the finished baked tortellini casserole recipe
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3 from 1 vote

Baked Tortellini

A quick and simple tortellini casserole with cheese and marinara.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: American, Italian, Western
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Calories: 745kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (225g) cream cheese
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 14 ounces (420g) marinara sauce store-bought
  • 17.63 ounces (500g) tortellini frozen or fresh
  • 2 tablespoons chopped basil
  • 1 cup (225g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50g) parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese with Italian seasoning.
  • To layer the casserole, start by adding 3 tablespoons of marinara sauce to the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Next, add half of the tortellini in one layer and top with half of the cream cheese, then pour half of the marinara sauce on top.
  • Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of chopped basil, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the parmesan cheese.
  • Repeat the layering process with the rest of tortellini, cream cheese, marinara sauce, basil, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
  • Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
  • Remove the foil, and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese turns golden.
  • Garnish with more basil before serving.
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Notes

  • You can use fresh refrigerated tortellini or frozen cheese tortellini to make this casserole. 
  • Dried tortellini will need to be cooked in advance. 
  • Frozen tortellini does not need to be thawed, but you may need to add a few additional minutes to the baking time. 
  • Bring the cream cheese to room temperature. You want it to be very soft, so it is easy to spread. 
  • Make a double batch and prepare a second casserole to freeze for an easy meal on another day. 
  • This casserole is perfect for sharing with friends and makes a simple holiday meal. 
  • Use ingredients you have on hand, such as leftover vegetables or meat. 
  • Storage – leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 745kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 1567mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1536IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 541mg | Iron: 5mg

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3 from 1 vote

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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. 3 stars
    This may be due to where you live, but I did not get even one full layer, let alone a lasagna-style bake. Using average-sized American frozen tortellini a 19oz./538 g bag only just covered the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Still tasted very good and cooked in only 20 minutes, but just be aware if you want layers and have smaller pasta, you will need to use a smaller pan, broccoli or sausage to bulk it out, or 2-3 bags of tortellini. All in all, very good, but just be aware of your pasta size to determine if this will work as shown.

  2. I shall be trying this soon. I just wanted to thank you for including metric measurements and weights–it saves time converting for all of us who buy ingredients in metric.