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
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-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!
### 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.
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!
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