Cheesy Tortellini Casserole Recipe

Name: Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds (24 ounces) prepared frozen cheese tortellini; Salt; 12 ounces cremini or white button mushrooms, roughly chopped or sliced into 1/4-inch slices; 1 tablespoon butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon); 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes; 1 large bunch Swiss chard, ribs removed, leaves chopped (about 2 cups), OR 2 cups fresh chopped spinach, OR 1/2 cup frozen spinach; 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil or 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil; 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed; Pinch red pepper flakes; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 4 to 6 ounces Mozzarella cheese slices, enough to cover the surface of the casserole

A Quick Casserole When You Crave Lasagna

Do you ever get a craving for lasagna, and start thinking of the different ingredients you'll need, but stop when you remember that it will take close to two hours to make and you want something sooner rather than later?

This cheesy tortellini casserole is for those moments. It's a bit like a baked lasagna—with pasta, cheese, tomato sauce—but a lot easier to put together.

The Secret Is Frozen Cheese Tortellini

Of course, the reason it's so easy to assemble is that you are starting with already made cheese-filled tortellini, which can usually be found in the frozen food section of your grocery store (if not, frozen ravioli would also work).

You can also use boxed tortellini or even fresh tortellini; cook it according to the package instructions until just al dente before assembling the casserole.

Cheesy Tortellini Casserole on spoon — Elise Bauer

A Simple, Adaptable Casserole

As you boil the water for the tortellini, you make the sauce. Then toss the cooked tortellini with the sauce, put in a casserole dish, cover with Mozzarella and bake until bubbly. That's it!

In this version we are including chopped cremini mushrooms because they taste great, and chopped chard for a healthy green. You could use spinach instead of the chard, or skip it all together.

Or you could use sausage instead of the mushrooms for a meat-based approach. This hearty vegetarian casserole is perfect for a Meatless Monday meal.

How to Store and Reheat

This casserole will keep in the fridge for about five days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or reheat the whole casserole in a warm oven until warmed through.

More Cheesy Pasta Casseroles:

Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 50 mins

Total Time 60 mins

Servings 4 to 6 servings

1 1/2 pounds (24 ounces) prepared frozen cheese tortellini
Salt
12 ounces cremini or white button mushrooms, roughly chopped or sliced into 1/4-inch slices
1 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 large bunch Swiss chard, ribs removed, leaves chopped (about 2 cups), or 2 cups fresh chopped spinach, or 1/2 cup frozen spinach
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil or 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
Pinch red pepper flakes
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 to 6 ounces mozzarella cheese slices, enough to cover the surface of the casserole

Pre-heat oven to 400°F
Boil the tortellini:

Heat a large pot with 3 quarts of water and 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt on high heat. When the water starts to boil, add the tortellini. Once the water returns to a boil, cook for an additional 2 minutes, until al dente.

You want the pasta cooked al dente because it will continue to cook when baked in the casserole. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside.

Elise Bauer
Sauté the mushrooms:

While you are preparing the pasta, start on the sauce. Heat a large thick bottomed stick-free (hard anodized aluminum or cast iron are best) pan on medium heat.

Add the mushrooms. "Dry" sauté them for 5 to 10 minutes with no added fat. As the mushrooms heat they will release water and cook in their own juices.

Once the mushrooms are well coated with the water that they are releasing, stir in a tablespoon of butter.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Finish the sauce:

Add the garlic, crushed fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes to the mushrooms and cook a minute more.

Add the crushed tomatoes and the dried or fresh basil. Increase the heat to bring to a simmer, then lower the heat to maintain a low simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the chopped chard and cook for 5 more minutes until the chard begins to wilt.

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt (more or less to taste).

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Assemble the casserole:

Stir the cooked tortellini into the sauce and remove from heat. Spread the tortellini mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish in an even layer. Arrange a layer of sliced Mozzarella cheese over the top of the tortellini.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Bake:

Cover with foil. (Either cover the casserole in a way that the foil is not touching the cheese or spread a little olive oil over the inside of the foil so that the casserole cheese does not stick to the foil while it cooks. You can also use stick-free foil.)

Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Remove foil and broil for 4 to 5 minutes more until top is lightly browned and bubbly.

Elise Bauer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
558	Calories
19g	Fat
71g	Carbs
29g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	558
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g	25%
Saturated Fat 10g	52%
Cholesterol 82mg	27%
Sodium 1253mg	54%
Total Carbohydrate 71g	26%
Dietary Fiber 7g	26%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 29g
Vitamin C 25mg	127%
Calcium 479mg	37%
Iron 6mg	34%
Potassium 1063mg	23%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.