Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe
Introduction
This Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole is a rich, creamy, and cheesy dish sure to become a family favorite. Featuring tender tortellini, savory meat sauce, and a decadent blend of cream cheese and mozzarella, it’s comfort food at its finest. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners, this casserole delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 pound tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.
- Step 4: Spread half of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked tortellini over the sauce. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the tortellini, then top with the remaining tortellini and meat sauce.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Step 6: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Step 7: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute the ground beef with ground chicken or a plant-based alternative for a different flavor.
- Make the casserole up to a day ahead and refrigerate; bake when ready to serve.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrients and flavor.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. You can also freeze the assembled casserole before baking and bake directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 40–45 minutes covered, then uncover for 10–15 minutes.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes! Assemble the casserole and freeze before baking. When ready, bake it directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 40–45 minutes covered, then uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
What tortellini flavors work best?
Cheese or spinach-and-cheese tortellini are ideal for this dish, but meat-filled tortellini can be used for an extra hearty meal.
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Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting baked pasta dish featuring tender tortellini, savory meat sauce, and a rich blend of cream cheese and mozzarella. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or busy weeknight, it combines quick assembly with rich flavors to satisfy any pasta lover.
Ingredients
For the Pasta and Meat Sauce
- 1 pound tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For Topping
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Tortellini: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Make the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until well browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning, then simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes to develop flavors.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread half of the meat sauce evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked tortellini over the sauce. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the tortellini layer. Then add the remaining tortellini, followed by the rest of the meat sauce. Finish by sprinkling the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and improve slicing.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with ground chicken or plant-based alternatives for different flavor or dietary preferences.
- Assemble the casserole up to one day in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Add extra vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to increase nutritional value and flavor.
- To freeze, assemble the casserole and freeze before baking. When ready, bake covered at 375°F (190°C) for 40–45 minutes from frozen, then uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Baked tortellini casserole, cheesy tortellini bake, creamy pasta casserole, ground beef pasta bake, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food pasta
