This Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole is the ultimate cozy comfort food—tender cheese-filled tortellini baked in a rich, savory marinara sauce and topped with layers of gooey, golden melted cheese. It’s an easy, family-friendly dinner that comes together quickly and tastes like pure Italian-inspired comfort in every bite. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings!
Servings: 8
Ingredients
Pasta & Sauce
- 20 oz about 560g refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- ½ lb 225g ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Cheese Layer
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven
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Set oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Cook the Tortellini
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Cook tortellini according to package directions (usually 3–5 minutes).
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Drain and set aside.
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Prepare the Sauce
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(Skip this step if making a meatless version.)
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In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef or sausage until browned.
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Drain excess fat.
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Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
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Simmer 5 minutes.
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Assemble the Casserole
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Spread a thin layer of sauce in the baking dish.
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Add half of the cooked tortellini.
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Spoon over half of the sauce.
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Add small dollops of ricotta.
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Sprinkle with mozzarella and cheddar.
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Repeat layers.
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Finish with Parmesan on top.
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Bake
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Cover loosely with foil.
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Bake for 20 minutes.
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Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
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Rest & Serve
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Let casserole rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
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Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.