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.
Jess
5 ingredients and made in less than 30 minutes?! Umm yes, please! I will make this any night of the week!
Anita
I love it! Such an easy dish, perfect for busy days, and the flavors are just awesome!
Mariah
I couldn’t find dry tortellini ANYWHERE at the small grocery store I stopped at on my way home, but they had frozen, and I already had the rest of the ingredients at home to make this, so I went ahead and got the frozen! Any idea if it will make a difference? I don’t have that much experience cooking. But I figured if you’re supposed to cook the tortellini ahead either way it might not matter that much? What do you think?
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Mariah! Good thinking! Shouldn't matter at all since you are going to cook them either way 🙂 I hope you enjoy! /Emmeline
Stacey
What type of cream are you referring to in the recipe?
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Stacey! I use whipping cream or half n half depending on what I feel like (updated the recipe to clarify this). The nutriontal content is calculated for using whipping cream. Have a nice day! /Emmeline
Lisa Rios
This looks simple and delicious! Great for family gatherings. Nothing compares to a warm meal at home.
Emmeline
Thank you, Lisa! Agreed, an easy warm meal is just so nice.
Crystal (The Busy Mom Diary)
This is an inspiring dish that I think I can tackle and my whole family will love.
Emmeline
Thank you for commenting, Crystal! Let me know what your family thinks! 😀
Alyazia
Now that is something I would love to follow, you just made full in love with you’re blog. As someone who live in Dubai/ United Arab Emirates, we don’t do this at all. I have just seen it in movies so this well be my next meal to try ❤️❤️❤️ I can’t experess how happy i am to find your blog
Emmeline
Aww thank you, Alyazia! Those are so kind words! I hope you try it and maybe you ca make it a thing n the UAE as well? 😀
Justyna Butler
Can I just tell you I can taste it just looking at the incredible pictures! Yum!
Emmeline
Thank you, that’s what I’m trying for! 😊
Lyosha
I actually love such simple bakes casseroles. SO delish and very simple to make, my favorite type of food cooking
Ashley Nicole Rice
I'll have to play around with making a vegan version of this. It sounds like it would be a fun one to make!
Emmeline
Let me know if you find a good version! Would love to make a vegan version as well!
Helen Neale
Wow, I have never tried to make this recipe looks really delicious and easy. I will try to make this for my kids, thanks for sharing!
Maartje van Sandwijk
This looks so good! Definitely going to make this - but without the cheese 🙂
Bindu Thomas
This looks damn delicious! I love trying new recipes. Will surely make this soon.
Emmeline
That’s a good reaction! 😉 thanks for commenting!
Rosey
This is one of my faves. We had ravioli tonight but I almost decided on tortellini instead.
Gervin Khan
The dish looks tasty and great texture for it's creamy. I give a perfect score for this recipe, you've given this a great twist and very unique style of ingredients.
Emmeline
Thank you so much for commenting!
Kaitlyn Knoll
Mm! I'm vegan but def will try a vegan substitute of this. Thanks for sharing!
Ruth
This looks delicious and you made it seem so easy to make! I love that you included what to serve with it too. I may have to try this out next time I’m making dinner 🙂
Jeannette (Jay Joy)
Thanks for the tip to cook the tortellini a little less as to not overcook after heating it up. Sounds great. I am a meat eater so I think this will go great with some chicken breast as well.
Emmeline
Yeessss that’s a great idea! Will have to try it for myself. Thanks for commenting!
Judy
The pictures and step by step instructions are amazing. This looks delicious and so easy to make. I think I’m going to have to try it. Never thought to do the dry pasta.
Emmeline
Thank you! 😍 let me know when you try it, hope you’ll enjoy!
Sarah S Kasulke
omgggg where has this been all my life!! I am making it this week
Emmeline
Love this!!! Let me know what you think!
Aia
wow.. yum yum. I like the fact that you add nutritional facts..
Kayla
I love adding spinach to so many things. My 7 year old is a noodle addict and I bet he would absolutely love this.
Emmeline
Same here! Such an easy way to get some extra greens in there.
Michelle
This looks delicious! I wonder if there's a way to make it gluten free
Emmeline
Good question! If you find gluten-free tortellini you could use that - but not really sure if that’s a thing? 😕
Melanie Frost
That meal looks delicious. Makes me wish I knew how to cook. But I'm going to share with my hubby and get him to make it for me 🙂
Emmeline
This is probably a good dish to start with otherwise. But having your hubby cook for you sounds like a great idea! 😁
Alyazia
That’s looks yummy 😋 I actually never tried this beacuse where I live it’s usually rice and so on, so this is never in our menu. I have to to do it tommrow
Emmeline
Well rice dishes are also nice 😍
Julia
What a great idea using tortellini! I bet it tastes amazing!
kim
Love this flavorful meal! Can't wait to whip it up this weekend!
Neli Howard
What a nice and easy recipe! Perfect for weeknight dinners! I too am always on the lookout for quick and easy meals! The tortellini bake looks Delish! Thanks
Emmeline
You’re welcome! ❤️
Claudia Lamascolo
I love pasta and tortellini is one of my family favorites. We make them several times a year. These sound great baked!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
What a tasty looking dish! My family would absolutely love this and it takes such a short time to make! Definitely giving this a go.
Emmeline
Let me know how you like it! 😃