Name: Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of olive oil; 1 pound of lean ground beef (97/3); 1 small onion, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (or whole peeled tomatoes crushed by hand); 8 oz can of tomato sauce; 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning; 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper to taste; 24 oz package of fresh cheese tortellini; 3 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese

If you’re looking for a comforting, cheesy, and downright satisfying meal that comes together without any fuss, you’re going to adore this Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe. I absolutely love how it combines tender, fresh tortellini with a hearty meat sauce and a gooey blanket of mozzarella cheese that browns beautifully in the oven. It’s the perfect dish for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner, and I promise once you try it, it’ll become a go-to in your recipe rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple and Quick: This casserole comes together with minimal prep but big flavors that feel like a slow-cooked meal.
Family Friendly: My family goes crazy for this dish; it’s cheesy, hearty, and perfect for picky eaters.
Comfort Food Classic: It hits all the cozy notes—melty cheese, savory meat sauce, and fluffy pasta in one pan.
Versatile: Easy to customize with your favorite seasonings or add-ins, making it suit your tastes perfectly.

A black baking dish holds a layered tortellini pasta bake with a rich tomato sauce. The top layer is melted white cheese, bubbly and slightly browned in spots, mixed with twisted yellow tortellini filled pasta visible underneath. The sauce is deep red with bits of herbs and small chunks of meat mixed in. Scattered green herb leaves add color contrast across the top. The dish rests on a white marbled surface with a folded striped cloth nearby and a wooden-handled black spoon on the right edge of the frame, creating a cozy kitchen feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole, cheesy tortellini casserole, baked tortellini recipe, easy tortellini bake, comforting pasta casserole

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic in this Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe comes from a handful of simple ingredients that play off each other beautifully—fresh pasta, savory meat sauce, and rich cheese. When you shop, look for good-quality fresh cheese tortellini; it makes a huge difference in the final creaminess and texture.

Flat lay of a mound of fresh cheese tortellini, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a white ceramic bowl holding three whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small pile of finely diced white onion, a portion of raw lean ground beef shaped neatly, a white ceramic bowl filled with bright red crushed tomatoes, another white ceramic bowl with smooth red tomato sauce, a small heap of dried Italian seasoning herbs, coarse kosher salt crystals scattered lightly, a few twists of freshly ground black pepper, and a small white ceramic bowl heaped with freshly grated mozzarella cheese, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole, cheesy tortellini casserole, baked tortellini recipe, easy tortellini bake, comforting pasta casserole

Olive oil: I use good extra virgin olive oil—it adds subtle fruitiness to the sautéed onions and garlic.
Lean ground beef: The 97/3 lean ground beef keeps the dish hearty but not greasy.
Small onion: Diced finely, it melts perfectly into the sauce, giving it sweetness and depth.
Garlic cloves: Minced fresh garlic builds aromatic flavor you just can’t beat with powdered substitutes.
Crushed tomatoes: I prefer whole peeled that I crush myself—it gives a fresher texture and taste.
Tomato sauce: Adds smoothness and richness to the sauce texture.
Dried Italian seasoning: This blend is my shortcut for classic Italian herb flavor without chopping fresh herbs.
Kosher salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing all those delicious flavors.
Black pepper: Freshly ground, always! It wakes up the overall taste beautifully.
Fresh cheese tortellini: The star of the dish—pillowy pockets of cheese that soak up the sauce during baking.
Mozzarella cheese: Freshly grated for the best melt and stretchiness—you’ll notice a difference in quality.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe to keep it fresh or make it fit different dietary needs. You can easily tailor it to your preferences without losing any of that amazing comfort food vibe.

Vegetarian version: Swap the ground beef for sautéed mushrooms or a mix of veggies like spinach and bell peppers—still super satisfying and cheesy.
Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat; my husband loves that extra punch.
Different cheeses: Try swapping half the mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a subtly different flavor profile.
Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free tortellini, and double-check your tomato products to keep this meal celiac-friendly.

How to Make Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics and Brown the Beef

Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. I love that smell of onions softening—it’s the perfect way to build flavor from the ground up. Once the onions are tender, add the minced garlic and cook for just about a minute, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn—that’s when bitterness sneaks in. Next, add your lean ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until no pink remains and it’s nicely browned. This first step creates a rich base that makes this casserole so flavorful.

Step 2: Create the Delicious Meat Sauce

With the beef cooked through, stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. I like to crush whole peeled tomatoes by hand if I have them on hand—it just gives a fresher texture than canned crushed tomatoes. Then sprinkle in the dried Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This combination simmers into a beautifully balanced sauce that sings with herbaceous notes and comforting savory depth. Let it bubble gently while you move on to the next step.

Step 3: Combine Tortellini and Cheese with Sauce

Here’s where this Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe gets even better—you stir in the uncooked, fresh tortellini straight into the meat sauce. Yes, uncooked! Don’t worry, it bakes perfectly in the oven. Next, add about half of the mozzarella cheese into the mix—it melts into the sauce and pasta, making everything irresistibly creamy. Give it a gentle stir to combine everything evenly.

Step 4: Transfer, Top, and Bake

Carefully transfer the entire mixture into a casserole dish. Now, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top for that golden, bubbly crust we all crave. Cover the dish tightly with foil—it locks in moisture, making sure the tortellini cooks through and gets tender. Pop it into your preheated oven at 350°F and bake for about 40 minutes. When it’s done, the sauce will be hot and bubbly, and the cheese will be deliciously melty with just a hint of browning on top.

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Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe

Use Fresh Tortellini: Fresh tortellini bakes wonderfully without pre-cooking; it absorbs the sauce as it bakes for ultimate creaminess.
Don’t Skip the Foil: Covering the casserole creates steam that cooks the pasta perfectly—avoid a dry or burnt top by not baking uncovered.
Choose Quality Cheese: Freshly grated mozzarella melts better and tastes cleaner than pre-shredded bags that sometimes contain anti-caking agents.
Even Spreading: Stir your pasta and sauce gently but thoroughly before transferring to the dish, ensuring every bite is loaded with flavor and cheese.

How to Serve Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe

A black baking dish filled with a baked tortellini casserole showing about three layers: a bottom layer of red tomato sauce with herbs, a middle layer of creamy white melted cheese mixed with tortellini pasta, and a top layer of bubbly melted mozzarella cheese sprinkled with green chopped herbs and black pepper. The tortellini pieces are golden with visible sauce and cheese patches. A wooden spoon rests on one corner of the dish, which is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole, cheesy tortellini casserole, baked tortellini recipe, easy tortellini bake, comforting pasta casserole

Garnishes

I love sprinkling freshly chopped basil or parsley on top right before serving—the fresh herbs lighten the richness and add a pop of color that makes the dish feel special. A little grated Parmesan on top adds a salty finish that pairs beautifully with the mozzarella.

Side Dishes

For sides, I usually serve this casserole alongside a crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette or garlicky roasted broccoli. The freshness of the veggies balances all that cheesy, meaty goodness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to bake individual servings in small ramekins or mini cast iron skillets. It makes the presentation extra charming and also helps with portion control if you’re hosting a dinner party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I let the casserole cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days—perfect for easy lunches or light dinners later in the week.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole successfully by assembling it in a freezer-safe dish, then covering tightly with foil and freezing before baking. When you want it, just thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed. It might need a few extra minutes in the oven to heat through from frozen.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F covered with foil to keep it moist, or zap a single serving in the microwave with a damp paper towel cover to avoid drying out. A quick sprinkle of extra mozzarella before reheating freshens things up nicely.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini for this Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe?

Yes, you can! Just keep in mind frozen tortellini might release extra moisture as it bakes, so you may want to slightly reduce other liquid ingredients or increase baking time to ensure the casserole isn’t watery.
Do I need to pre-cook the tortellini before baking?

Nope! Fresh tortellini cooks perfectly in the sauce during baking, absorbing all those wonderful flavors without getting mushy if you cover the casserole properly with foil.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole up to the baking step, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before popping it in the oven. It’s perfect for planning meals in advance.
What cheese works best for a golden, melty top?

Mozzarella is classic for meltiness and stretch, but mixing in a little provolone or fontina can add a nice depth of flavor. Just be sure to grate your own cheese for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe holds a special spot in my heart because it’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug coming out of the oven. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or craving a cozy dinner after a long day, this dish hits all the right notes—simple ingredients, bold flavors, and that unbeatable cheesy comfort. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own, just like I have!