🧀🍝 Cheesy Tortellini Bake
A rich, comforting baked pasta dish with tender tortellini, marinara, and lots of melted cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz / ~570 g) package cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- 2–3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk (optional, makes it creamier)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- Optional add-ins: cooked ground beef, sausage, spinach, or mushrooms
Instructions
1. Preheat oven
Set oven to 190°C (375°F) and lightly grease a baking dish.
2. Cook tortellini
Boil tortellini according to package directions (usually 2–4 minutes). Drain.
3. Make sauce mix
In a bowl, combine:
- marinara sauce
- garlic
- Italian seasoning
- cream (if using)
- salt, pepper, and chili flakes
Stir well.
4. Combine
Mix cooked tortellini with the sauce. Add any cooked meat or veggies if using.
5. Assemble bake
Pour into baking dish. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan evenly.
6. Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and cheese is golden.
Optional: broil for 2–3 minutes for a browned top.
🍽️ Tips & Variations
- Add ricotta dollops for a lasagna-style twist.
- Use Alfredo sauce instead of marinara for a white cheesy bake.
- Let it rest 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets nicely.
- Garlic bread on the side makes it complete.
If you want, I can also make a one-pot stovetop version, a chicken Alfredo tortellini bake, or a freezer meal prep version.
