Why you'll crave it

This baked tortellini casserole is perfect for when you want something hot and comforting but don't want to spend ages in the kitchen. The tortellini cooks right in the oven, so you don't even need to boil it first. Shortcuts that lead to fewer dishes are always a good idea, in my opinion!

Here we've got cheesy pasta, a juicy marinara and meat sauce, and loads of ooey gooey cheese. That's bound to make everyone happy, right? This inexpensive pasta bake feeds a crowd, but it also makes tasty leftovers if you can't gobble it up right away. It's a fantastic option for those busy workdays when you don't want to put a ton of effort into dinner but have hungry mouths to feed.

What you'll need

Olive oil - for sautéing

Onion - I like sweet (Vidalia) best, but yellow or white works

Ground beef - at least 90% lean is my preference here

Garlic - use even more than suggested if you're a garlic lover. I like to mince it with this garlic press, which doesn't require peeling the cloves.

Marinara sauce - for convenience, we're using a 24 oz. jar. Choose your favorite brand.

Tortellini - we're using the refrigerated variety of cheese tortellini in this recipe, which means we can bake the tortellini without boiling it.

Cheese - I chose both cheddar and mozzarella for all-out cheesy flavor.

Make ahead tips

Assemble the entire thing by completing the recipe through step 5, and then tightly cover and freeze the whole baking dish or refrigerate overnight.

When you want to cook it, bake it for a bit longer than suggested. You'll want to check it's fully warmed through before the broiling step.

If using a ceramic baking dish, let it warm up on the counter for a while first, or let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

How to make baked tortellini

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

frying ground beef and adding it to a casserole dish

Start by preheating your oven and sautéing half an onion in a skillet. Add the ground beef and garlic to the skillet and cook until it's browned. Transfer the beef mixture to a 9x13 casserole dish.

Add in the marinara sauce and uncooked tortellini. Toss it together, then spread in an even layer and top with the cheese. Cover in foil and bake for 35-40 minutes. Remove the foil, and broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese.

Substitutions and variations

You may sub the ground beef with another ground meat such as turkey or Italian sausage.

Any tomato-based pasta sauce will work, and you can change it up. You don't necessarily have to use marinara! But if you do, try my Homemade Marinara if you want one from scratch instead of from a jar.

You can definitely use frozen tortellini since they will thaw fast. I'd add on an extra 10 minutes or so onto baking time to ensure they cook through, though.

What to serve with it

This tortellini bake is great as a meal on its own, but for an all-out comfort food fest try it with a slice of crusty bread, a dinner roll, or this Homemade Garlic Bread.

I enjoy serving it with a side salad as well for a fresh pairing. A Classic Caesar Salad goes really well, or try my copycat Olive Garden Italian Dressing.

Leftovers and storage

You can reheat leftovers of this tortellini bake in the oven covered with foil. You could always broil for a bit at the end again to get the cheese nice and melty/browned again!

Reheating in the microwave in shorter intervals until warmed through or covered in a saucepan on low heat will work too.

I don't recommend freezing the leftovers of this one. Cooked pasta and cheese don't always come out right when thawed.

Baked Tortellini (Tomato & Meat Sauce)