Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole

This Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole is a rich, creamy, and cheesy dish that’s bound to become a family favorite. Featuring tender tortellini pasta, a savory meat sauce, and a decadent blend of cream cheese and mozzarella, it’s comfort food at its finest.

Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner, this casserole brings big flavor with minimal effort.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large skillet
• Large pot
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients Overview

• Tortellini: Fresh or frozen tortellini pasta works best for this recipe.
• Ground Beef or Turkey: Adds protein and flavor to the dish.
• Marinara Sauce: A high-quality marinara sauce provides a flavorful base.
• Cream Cheese Mixture: Creates a luscious, creamy layer.
• Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese: Melted and bubbly, these cheeses give the casserole its signature gooey topping.

Ingredients

• 1 pound tortellini (fresh or frozen)
• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Tortellini

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Make the Meat Sauce

3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
4. Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture

5. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.

Assemble the Casserole

6. Spread half of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
7. Layer half of the cooked tortellini on top of the sauce.
8. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the tortellini, followed by the remaining tortellini and meat sauce.
9. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.

Bake the Casserole

10. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Serve

12. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Substitute Protein: Swap ground beef for ground chicken or a plant-based alternative for a different flavor profile.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.
• Add Veggies: Incorporate spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrients.

What to Serve With This Recipe

Pair this casserole with a fresh side salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes! Assemble the casserole and freeze before baking. When ready to cook, bake directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 40–45 minutes, covered, and then uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes.

What tortellini flavors work best?
Cheese or spinach-and-cheese tortellini are ideal, but you can use meat-filled tortellini for an extra hearty meal.

How long do leftovers last?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Serving Suggestions

This Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but for a special dinner, serve it with a side of Caesar salad, crusty bread, or roasted asparagus. It’s the kind of dish everyone will want seconds of!

### Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole

This Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole is a rich, creamy, and cheesy dish that’s bound to become a family favorite. Featuring tender tortellini pasta, a savory meat sauce, and a decadent blend of cream cheese and mozzarella, it’s comfort food at its finest. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner, this casserole brings big flavor with minimal effort.

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Equipment

• Kitchen Equipment Needed:
• Large skillet
• Large pot
• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

  

• ### Ingredients Overview
• - **Tortellini**: Fresh or frozen tortellini pasta works best for this recipe.
• - **Ground Beef or Turkey**: Adds protein and flavor to the dish.
• - **Marinara Sauce**: A high-quality marinara sauce provides a flavorful base.
• - **Cream Cheese Mixture**: Creates a luscious creamy layer.
• - **Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese**: Melted and bubbly these cheeses give the casserole its signature gooey topping.
• ### Ingredients
• - 1 pound tortellini fresh or frozen
• - 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• - 2 cups marinara sauce
• - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• - 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• - 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• - 1/2 cup sour cream
• - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

 

• ### Step-by-Step Instructions
• #### Prepare the Tortellini
• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• #### Make the Meat Sauce
• In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
• Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
• #### Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture
• In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.
• #### Assemble the Casserole
• Spread half of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Layer half of the cooked tortellini on top of the sauce.
• Spread the cream cheese mixture over the tortellini, followed by the remaining tortellini and meat sauce.
• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
• #### Bake the Casserole
• Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
• #### Serve
• Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• ### Recipe Tips
• - **Substitute Protein**: Swap ground beef for ground chicken or a plant-based alternative for a different flavor profile.
• - **Make Ahead**: Assemble the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.
• - **Add Veggies**: Incorporate spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrients.
• ### What to Serve With This Recipe
• Pair this casserole with a fresh side salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
• ### Frequently Asked Questions
• **Can I freeze this casserole?**
• Yes! Assemble the casserole and freeze before baking. When ready to cook, bake directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 40–45 minutes, covered, and then uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes.
• **What tortellini flavors work best?**
• Cheese or spinach-and-cheese tortellini are ideal, but you can use meat-filled tortellini for an extra hearty meal.
• **How long do leftovers last?**
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
• ### Serving Suggestions
• This Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but for a special dinner, serve it with a side of Caesar salad, crusty bread, or roasted asparagus. It’s the kind of dish everyone will want seconds of!