Tortellini Casserole with Spinach (Tortellini al Forno)
This cheap weeknight favorite is done in 25 minutes with just 5 ingredients. Cheesy and packed with flavor this dish heats up really well and is a great option for your lunchbox.
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.
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
Nutritional content is calculated assuming you're using full fat cream.