This cheap & cheesy Tortellini Casserole is a weeknight favorite done in 25 minutes with just 5 ingredients but lots of flavor. Just boil the tortellini halfway, then dump, bake and serve! It also heats up really well for delicious leftovers!
This Dish Got Me Through College
A big part of my college degree could be attributed to this one dish. I made it almost every week back then, when money was tight, an easy dinner recipe was pure gold, and all food needed to be lunchbox-appropriate.
And, knowing myself, it also had to be really tasty. This recipe sure ticks all the boxes, and there's good reason why I still make it at least once a month.
Here are the top reasons why I love it:
- It's quick - done in 25 minutes or less
- It's easy - just boil tortellini halfway, layer, and bake
- It's cheap - one serving comes out at $1-2
- It's so tasty, you'll want to make it all the time!
If you want to try another variation of this, I recommend my Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole.
"Anything this easy could not be good. I was so wrong. My whole family flipped for this recipe! Loved the spicy creamy cheesy goodness! I was so shocked how easy and good it was. This is a keeper." - Joy
Just 5 Ingredients + a Bit of Butter (Or Oil)
A Note on Tortellini
I mainly use dried tortellini, and it's what I used for this recipe as well. You can also make this recipe with fresh or frozen tortellini.
If using dried tortellini, I recommend boiling it first. You can make this without boiling it first, but you will need to add more liquid, and it will take longer to cook.
If using fresh tortellini, don't boil it first.
For frozen tortellini, I recommend either thawing it first and not boiling, or just boiling it a minute so it's not frozen.
You can use any filling you like. I prefer ham & cheese, but it's also very tasty with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, or just cheese.
Just Layer and Bake!
See notes above to determine whether you need to pre-cook your tortellini or not.
1. Choose Your Dish
Start by choosing an oven-safe dish to make it in. I like a smaller, round one (8 inches / 2 cm diameter across). You can also use a rectangular one that's about 10 x 7 inches (25 x 18 cm).
I find the dish comes together better in a smaller dish, in a larger dish it will be more spread out. But that also means if you want to double this recipe - you definitely can! Just use the larger dish.
Then grease it up, using butter, olive oil, cooking spray or something similar.
2. Layer
Add your ingredients in the following order:
- Tortellini
- Spinach
- Cheese & chili flakes
- Tortellini
- Spinach
- Cheeese & chili flakes
Then, finally, pour over the cream and push down any spinach or pasta that's sticking up.
3. Bake
Bake 15 minutes or so, until the cheese is melted and the top is golden and browned.
If it browns to much too soon: tent with foil for the remaining time.
If it's not brown enough after 15 minutes: raise the temperature and let it bake a few more minutes.
What to Do with Leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheating in the oven: Reheat the entire casserole in the oven, covered with aluminum foil, at 350ºF (175ºC) for 15-20 minutes, until heated through.
Reheating in microwave: Reheat in 1-minute increments, until heated through.
Recipe
Tortellini Casserole with Spinach (Tortellini al Forno)
Print RateIngredients
- ½ lb dried tortellini any filling; see notes for how to use fresh or frozen tortellini
- butter small amount for buttering the dish
- 1 large handful fresh spinach
- 1⅓ cups shredded cheese any kind that melts well
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes more or less according to taste
- 1 cups heavy cream half and half also works
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and cook the tortellini half as long as stated on the package.½ lb dried tortellini
- Butter a casserole dish that's either round and about 8 inches (20 cm) across or rectangular and about 10 x 7 inches (25 x 18 cm). The exact size is not important!butter
- Place half of the tortellini in the bottom of the dish, followed by half the spinach and half the cheese. Then add the rest of the tortellini, the rest of the spinach, chili flakes, and the rest of the cheese. Pour over the cream, and try to spread it out as much as possible.1 large handful fresh spinach, 1⅓ cups shredded cheese, 1 teaspoon chili flakes, 1 cups heavy cream
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly golden and the casserole seems mostly set. Serve as it is or with a salad.
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
Video
Notes
- Dried tortellini: boil it first, halfway
- Fresh tortellini: don't boil it first.
- Frozen tortellini: either thaw it first and don't boil it, boil it just a minute so it's not frozen.
- Make it vegetarian by using vegetarian tortellini
- Bake time can vary with your oven. Tent with foil if it browns too much too quickly, and raise the heat if it's not browned after 15 minutes.
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 1-minute increments
- Reheat the entire casserole in the oven, covered with aluminum foil, at 350ºF (175ºC) for 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
GF Gramma
How much tortellini if it’s frozen? About twice as much? Thanks!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi! About 50-100% more should be good. You want 4 servings of pasta, so you can look at that as well. /Emmeline
GF Gramma
OK! I have made this twice now. I used a one-pound bag of gluten-free tortellini from the freezer section. But, the first time I made it, I mistakenly thought it called for spaghetti sauce...and I had thawed some that afternoon, anticipating making this recipe. So I added an extra layer to the recipe of spaghetti sauce over the tortellini. I also used half-and-half rather than heavy cream. The second time I made the recipe as written. I must say I really liked the version I made with spaghetti sauce best. My family felt that without it, it was just too cheesy and rich. The only kind of gluten-free tortellini available here though is cheese and spinach, so maybe that was just too much. And for my family, I think half-and-half rather than cream works best. Love this recipe with the spaghetti sauce though! I have sent it to my daughters for busy weeknights!
rick reed
Hello Added chopped garlic MMMMM
Diane H
I made this tonight, and it was absolutely delicious! I worried that it might be bland, but it was so flavorful! I left out the chili flakes, but it was still so delicious. Even my hubby loved it!! This recipe will definitely be put into the rotation!
Woode
I substitute ravioli instead tortilini and added mushrooms on each layer with the spinach, was gooood
JimmyB
This looks and sounds wonderful. I loathe spinach so am thinking of small broccoli florets. And I can't do spicy so will leave out the chili flakes. I can do a couple of drops of hot sauce. I keep thinking of so many variations that would be delicious. Mushrooms enhance most anything and some shredded chicken would be wonderful. Thanks for sharing such a versatile and EZ to prepare recipe.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Jimmy! Love your suggested variations. I'm working on a blue cheese version as well that you might like... 🙂 /Emmeline
Carmen Murphy
I haven't cooked it yet reading the comments first but why not some goat cheese also??
Emmeline Kemperyd
That sounds very tasty!
Dee
I cooked the Totellini in tomato sauce and cream. I then added it to the oven dish and also added some finely cooped mushrooms 😊
Anya
I found some gluten free mortadella, prosciutto and parmigiano tortellini and made this recipe exactly as instructed and it came out so delicious!! My boyfriend isn’t gluten free but he also really enjoyed the dish. It was such a fun, quick last minute dinner to whip up. I will definitely make for friends and family in the future!
Dayna
This recipe was AMAZING and my family loved it ! I added some cherry tomatoes along the top layer.
My daughter is a picky eater so I made a mini one for her without the spinach and hot pepper flakes. Definitely will be making this again !
Debbie Schappert
sorry what does '2 dl cream' mean? 2 cups?
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Debbie! Dl is a metric measurement that's equal to 200 ml. If you want the measurements in US cups instead, just click the link that says "US Imperial" below the ingredient list and you will get it in those measurements instead. Let me know if I can help you with anything else!
Annissa
This recipe has me drooling! It looks like the perfect comfort food. I'm going to be dreaming about this one all night.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Oh yes, best and easiest comfort food! Hope you try it!
Joy Jones
Anything this easy could not be good. I was so wrong. My whole family flipped for this recipe! Loved the spicy creamy cheesy goodness! I was so shocked how easy and goodit was. This is a keeper.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Joy! Thank you for your amazing comment, I am so happy you and your family enjoyed it! /Emmeline
Deepika
I have some dry tortellini, I was looking for recipes to try. This recipe is just what I need to make tonight.
Sara Welch
Gave this a try for dinner last night and it was a hit all around the table! So delicious and great for busy weeknights too!