A crowd-pleasing recipe but also a personal favorite: Baked Tortellini. Cheesy tortellini baked with marinara sauce, Italian sausage, and more melty cheese!
Imagine biting into perfectly cooked cheese-filled tortellini, enveloped in a rich marinara sauce, and topped with ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese. Our baked tortellini is all that and more.
This dish is like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for those chilly evenings or any time you’re in need of some cozy comfort food.
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy and versatile it is. Tortellini can be used in so many ways and go with so many other foods.
Whether you’re cooking for a large group or just looking for an easy dinner idea during a busy weeknight, this cheesy baked tortellini casserole is sure to hit the spot.
Plus, it’s a great recipe to get the whole family involved in the kitchen.
If you’re feeling super ambitious, you could even make your own tortellini! Though I won’t blame you if you turn me down on that, haha!
Let’s dive into how you can make this ultimate comfort food that will have everyone asking for seconds. Here comes my Baked Tortellini with Italian Sausage!
Some of our other favorite pasta recipes we have on our site include: Tortellini Pasta Salad, Bacon Pesto Pasta, and Creamy One Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for feeding a large group, making it a favorite for potlucks and family gatherings.
- Quick and Easy: Minimal prep time makes this ideal for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable with various add-ins and substitutions, making it a new favorite every time you make it.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Cheese tortellini
- Italian sausage (ground or links)
- Marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
HOW TO MAKE BAKED TORTELLINI:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook the tortellini to the directions on the back of the package and, drain well, set aside.
- Get a nice sear on the sausages over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
- Slice the sausage into rounds.
- Place the tortellini, sausage, basil, 1/2 cup mozzarella and sauce in a large bowl. Mix to combine.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake, covered with nonstick foil or foil sprayed with cooking spray, for 20 minutes.
- Take out of the oven, top with remaining cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler if you would like to brown the cheese. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT KIND OF SAUSAGE IS THE BEST TO USE?
For a hearty dinner that’s sure to become one of your favorite meals, I recommend using raw Italian sausage for this dish.
Whether you opt for links or ground Italian sausage, removing the casings is a good idea if you’re going for an even distribution of meat throughout your cheesy tortellini bake. But, usually I just cut them into rounds.
Italian sausage packs a flavorful punch, making it the perfect choice to elevate the full ingredients list of your tortellini casserole.
CAN I USE FROZEN PASTA
Yes, indeed! Using a package of tortellini that’s frozen is a fantastic choice, especially on a rainy day when you’re looking to whip up something comforting with minimal minutes of prep.
Frozen cheese tortellini can be used interchangeably with fresh tortellini, making it a convenient and versatile option for this easy dinner recipe.
There’s no need to adjust the baking time, which means you can get the whole thing into your prepared baking dish and into the oven quickly.
Just prepare the frozen tortellini per the directions on the back of the package before moving on to the rest of the recipe steps.
ANY ADDITIONS?
If you’ve ever made tortellini, you know it goes really well with a wide variety of flavors.
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Fresh spinach leaves
- Sliced olives
- Chopped bell peppers
- Artichoke hearts
- Pesto for a flavor boost
- Sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy touch
- Extra parmesan cheese for cheesy goodness
- A dollop of cream cheese for creaminess
- Crispy bacon bits for a smoky flavor
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
If you find any other ideas for subs, let me know in the comments. I love hearing from you!
- Ground turkey or ground beef for a different meat option
- Alfredo or vodka sauce for a creamy twist
- Gluten-free tortellini for those with dietary restrictions
- Vegan cheese and plant-based sausage for a vegetarian version
- Ricotta or cottage cheese mixed in with the marinara sauce for extra richness
- Whole grain tortellini for a healthier spin
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheat covered with foil in the oven or in the microwave until warmed through.
Freezer: Freeze the casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- For a golden brown cheese topping, sprinkle a little bit of parmesan cheese along with the mozzarella.
- Use a large oven-safe pan to go from stovetop to oven if you’re sautéing any add-ins, making cleanup a breeze.
- A sprinkle of Italian seasoning or garlic powder enhances the flavors of the marinara sauce.
- Cooking the tortellini to just under al dente ensures it won’t become too soft during baking.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking for easier serving.
- Serve with garlic bread or a side salad to complete this delicious pasta recipe.
This Easy Cheesy Baked Tortellini is more than just a meal; it’s a guaranteed way to bring smiles to your dinner table.
It’s a versatile, easy dinner recipe that combines the delicious flavors of cheese tortellini, marinara sauce, and Italian sausage, all under a layer of melted mozzarella cheese.
You have to make this Baked Tortellini next week!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this BAKED TORTELLINI, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Baked Tortellini Recipe with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
- 9 ounces fresh packaged tortellini or frozen
- 2 links Italian sausage
- 1 & 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 & 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 fresh basil leaves torn
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook the tortellini to the directions on the back of the package and, drain well, set aside.9 ounces fresh packaged tortellini
- Get a nice sear on the sausages over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes on each side or until cooked through.2 links Italian sausage
- Slice the sausage into rounds.
- Place the tortellini, sausage, sauce, 1/2 cup of the cheese, and the basil in a large bowl. Mix to combine.1 & 1/2 cups marinara sauce, 1 & 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 8 fresh basil leaves
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake, covered with nonstick foil or foil sprayed with cooking spray, for 20 minutes.
- Take out of the oven, top with remaining cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler if you would like to brown the cheese. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a golden brown cheese topping, sprinkle a little bit of parmesan cheese along with the mozzarella.
- Use a large oven-safe pan to go from stovetop to oven if you’re sautéing any add-ins, making cleanup a breeze.
- A sprinkle of Italian seasoning or garlic powder enhances the flavors of the marinara sauce.
- Cooking the tortellini to just under al dente ensures it won’t become too soft during baking.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking for easier serving.
- Serve with garlic bread or a side salad to complete this delicious pasta recipe.
Comments & Reviews
Nicole says
This looks sooo good! You can never go wrong with cheese. :p