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 (may contain affiliate links)
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.
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! 😃