This baked tortellini recipe is cheese tortellini in a hearty meat sauce, all topped with cheese and baked to perfection. A super easy dinner that the whole family will love!
Baked pasta is classic comfort food that’s always a crowd pleaser. This version uses tortellini in a homemade meat sauce and can easily be doubled to serve a large group.
I’ve been adding some new dinner options to our menu rotation lately, and this baked tortellini definitely fits the bill! It’s cheesy, hearty, kid pleasing, and so very easy to make. All you need is a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep time to have this comfort food classic on your table.
How do you make baked tortellini?
This baked tortellini recipe starts with Three Bridges Triple Cheese Tortellini and Heirloom Marinara Sauce. Three Bridges pastas and sauces are available at natural food and grocery retailers nationwide. I found Three Bridges at my local Safeway, but they’re also available at Raley’s, Target and more.
The first step in the process is to bring a pot of water to boil. While the water is boiling, I sauté some diced onion and ground beef. After the tortellini goes into the pot, I add the Heirloom Marinara Sauce to the beef mixture.
After the tortellini goes into the baking dish, simply top with shredded mozzarella, bake, then serve!
How long does it take to cook frozen tortellini?
I typically make this dish with fresh tortellini, but you can also use frozen tortellini with excellent results. Fresh tortellini takes about 6-7 minutes to cook, and frozen tortellini takes 10-11 minutes to cook.
My whole family loves this baked tortellini, and I love how easy it is to make. It’s the perfect meal for a busy weeknight, or you can make a double batch and serve it up at a potluck! Regardless of how you serve it, it’s sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
More pasta dishes you’ll love
- Taco Pasta
- Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
- Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Baked Tortellini Video
Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce
Ingredients
- 18 ounces Three Bridges Triple Cheese Tortellini (2 9-ounce packages or 1 family size package)
- 1 15-ounce container Three Bridges Heirloom Marinara Sauce
- cooking spray
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 6 cup or larger baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package directions.
- While you wait for the water to boil and tortellini to cook, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes or until softened.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until done, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Pour the marinara sauce into the pan with the beef and heat until warmed through.
- Drain the pasta and return to the pot. Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss to coat.
- Spoon the pasta into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the cheese over the top. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to brown.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Nutrition
This post is sponsored by Three Bridges. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Dinner at the Zoo possible!
Susan says
I had some extra spinach so I added it in! Really great recipe that we all loved.
Jan says
I couldn’t stop eating this with all the flavors, textures and melted cheese!
Bruiser girl says
Excellent recipe! Added a couple garlic cloves chopped, Italian seasoning, and a splash of sherry to the sauce. Turned out delicious. Served with a salad and bread.
Diane Neufeld says
Could I put this in a slow cooker? I cook for 6- 8 men and need a lot!!
Sara says
You could make the sauce in the slow cooker then stir in the tortellini during the last 30 minutes!
Brenda Ingram says
Excellent recipe, my family love pasta dishes, made it with
sweet Italian sausage and served with a garden salad or cooked spinach . Truly was a hit.
Judi says
Can this be made ahead and frozen? Having a big crowd and looking to cook from the freezer..
Sara says
Yes that should be fine!
Yvonne says
Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Karen says
Like other commenters, I could not find the specific brand of tortellini or sauce. I used Buitoni brand. I added half a green bell pepper, three cloves of garlic, some basil, and a dash of red pepper flakes. Overall I found the dish to be dry. It’s tasty but needs more marinara. I will keep playing with it, though!
Nancy Jean says
This is delicious and so easy to make! Big hit with everyone!
Sara says
Glad to hear everyone enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Vallan says
Soooo good and easy to make, I added portobella mushrooms and fresh baby spinach as well as Italian seasoning and a few dashes of Spike seasoning, also used a 650ml jar of marinara, definitely going to make again! 👍🏻👍🏻
Sara says
Sounds amazing I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Elaine says
This was so very good . Family loved it. Easy to make in a tight schedule world we live in.
Sara says
Thanks so much for reporting back, glad you enjoyed it!
Stephen says
Good dish! I’m a sauce lover so I doubled the sauce! I used a Sunday gravysauce which is identical to most heirloom sauces. Added a bit of garlic,Worcester, and a good balsamic vinaigrette. A touch of all three!
Sam says
Potluck this weekend and this is what we’re bringing! Cheesy
Bea says
Perfect casserole that can be made ahead! Love all that melted cheese!
sarah berger says
I can not find the sauce or tortellini anywhere. 🙁 any suggestions, My target does not have a refrigerated section
Sara says
Hi Sarah, have you looked at their store locator? https://threebridges.com/store-locator/ I hope you can find it near you, it’s totally worth it!
Debbie says
My family would just love this! Making it this week!
olivia @ livforcake says
This looks like the BEST dinner ever and I love how easy it is. Making this this week for SURE!
Cookbook says
I wish I had made this last night so I could bring the leftovers to work for lunch!