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This cheap & cheesy Tortellini Casserole is a weeknight favorite done in 25 minutes with just 5 ingredients. A cheesy tortellini al forno that's packed with flavor, and a dish the whole family will love. It also heats up really well for delicious leftovers!
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A big part of my college degree could probably be attributed to this specific baked tortellini casserole. 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.
But, knowing myself, it also had to be really tasty. This Tortellini al Forno recipe ticks all the boxes.
Why you will love this Tortellini Casserole
- It's quick and on the table in 25 minutes
- It's easy - just boil tortellini halfway, layer, and bake
- It's cheap - one serving comes out at $1-2
- Sooo tasty you will definitely be happy to have leftovers
- Perfect for your lunchbox and heats up super well
What you need to make Tortellini al Forno
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Tortellini - I prefer ham & cheese, but it's great with other types as well - like plain cheese tortellini for a vegetarian version
- Dried tortellini is my go-to, and the best option for this recipe
- Shredded cheese - any type of shredded cheese that melts well, for example mozzarella cheese. You could also switch part of it for Parmesan cheese or something equally flavorful.
- Chili flakes - I use a pretty spicy kind, and it comes out just a bit spicy
- Cream - I prefer heavy cream, but half-and-half works almost as well
- Salt: You should boil the tortellini in heavily salted water, as usual, but I don't usually add any salt to the casserole itself
How to make a Tortellini Casserole
Start by cookig tortellini just half the time stated on the package - usually around 5-6 minutes. Then drain them, and you're ready to start!
- Butter a baking dish that's either round and about 8 inches (20 cm) across, or rectangular at about 10 x 7 inches (25 x 18 cm). The exact size is not important, just that everything fits and is not too spread out.
- Place half of the cooked tortellini in the bottom of the dish
- Add half the spinach
- Spread out half the shredded cheese over the spinach
- Add the remaining tortellini
- Follow with the remaining spinach, and the chili flakes
- Sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese, and pour over the cream - try to spread it out all over the dish
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Serve the tortellini casserole as it is, or garnish with parsley, fresh basil, or more chili flakes.
Tips & tricks
- Make it vegetarian by using a vegetarian tortellini
- Mix it up by trying different types of tortellini - filled with cheese, mushroom, pesto, or something else
- 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
Recipe FAQ
This depends on the recipe. You can cook tortellini in sauce or milk, so some recipes will not require you to cook it first. For this tortellini casserole, however, we boil it first to make it a bit quicker.
It will also depend on if you are using dried, fresh or frozen tortellini as dried takes much longer to cook than fresh.
Some side dishes that go great with tortellini, and with this tortellini al forno, are different types of green salad, garlic bread, and simply seasoned veggies like green beans.
Pasta al forno in Italian literally means "pasta to the oven" or simply oven baked pasta, so while the name "pasta al forno" is Italian it can refer to many many different dishes. What they all have in common is that they include pasta, and are made in the oven.
You can definitely use frozen tortellini instead, just be careful not to overcook it as it generally cooks quicker than dried. If the cook time is just around 5 minutes, don't boil it first - just thaw it and then add it to the dish with the rest of the ingredients.
Fresh tortellini will overcook easily, so I don't recommend it. If you do decide to use it - don't cook it first, just add it to the dish straight away with the rest of the ingredients - and know that it will probably come out a little bit overcooked.
More 30 minute Meals
Looking for more delicious 30 minute meals like this Tortellini Casserole?
- Spicy Vodka Pasta
- Salmon Stir Fry with Cilantro & Lime
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Lemon Pepper Salmon
- Smoked Salmon Pasta with Spinach
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Tortellini Casserole with Spinach (Tortellini al Forno)
Print RateIngredients
- ½ lb dry tortellini filled with ham & cheese
- butter small amount for buttering the dish
- 1 large handful fresh spinach
- 1⅓ cups shredded cheese
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 cups cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and cook the tortellini half as long as stated on the package.½ lb dry tortellini filled with ham & cheese
- 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 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 needed for this recipe
Video
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Tortellini - I prefer ham & cheese, but it's great with other types as well - like plain cheese tortellini for a vegetarian version
- Dried tortellini is my go-to, and the best option for this recipe
- Shredded cheese - any type of shredded cheese that melts well, for example mozzarella cheese. You could also switch part of it for Parmesan cheese or something equally flavorful.
- Chili flakes - I use a pretty spicy kind, and it comes out just a bit spicy
- Cream - I prefer heavy cream, but half-and-half works almost as well
- Salt: You should boil the tortellini in heavily salted water, as usual, but I don't usually add any salt to the casserole itself
Tips & tricks
- Make it vegetarian by using a vegetarian tortellini
- Mix it up by trying different types of tortellini - filled with cheese, mushroom, pesto, or something else
- 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
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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!