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Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole

cheesy baked tortellini casserole - featured image

A bubbling, golden layer of melted cheese blankets tender tortellini nestled in a rich marinara sauce. This comforting casserole is simple, satisfying, and irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bag of cheese-filled tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 jar of marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease your 9×13 baking dish lightly with cooking spray or olive oil.
  2. Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce and heavy cream. Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add the cooked tortellini to the sauce mixture and gently toss to coat. Make sure each piece of pasta is evenly covered.
  5. Spread half of the tortellini mixture into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
  6. Add the remaining tortellini mixture as a second layer. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan over the top to create a cheesy crust.
  7. Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  8. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Notes

[‘Slightly undercook the tortellini before baking to prevent it from becoming mushy.’, ‘For an extra crispy cheese topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking.’, ‘Customize the flavor by adding red pepper flakes for heat or mixing in sautéed veggies.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy casserole, baked tortellini, comfort food, easy dinner, Italian recipe