Description
This easy Baked Tortellini recipe combines tender cheese tortellini with fresh spinach, herbs, and marinara sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Baked to perfection, this comforting casserole makes a perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (16 to 20 ounce) package cheese tortellini (or any variety)
- 2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (fresh, packaged, or smoked; divided)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly oil an 8-inch square or 1½ quart baking dish to prevent the tortellini from sticking during baking.
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly to remove excess water to avoid a watery casserole.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the cooked tortellini, marinara sauce, chopped fresh spinach, flat-leaf parsley, oregano, half of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the tortellini mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, the sauce is bubbling along the edges, and everything is thoroughly heated.
- Optional Browning: For a beautiful golden-brown cheese crust, place the casserole under the broiler for 1–2 minutes. Watch carefully to ensure it does not burn.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot. Garnish with extra parsley or Parmesan cheese if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute any variety of tortellini, such as meat or spinach-filled, according to your preference.
- Fresh herbs enhance flavor, but dried oregano works well if fresh is unavailable.
- Be careful when broiling the top to achieve browning without burning the cheese.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
