Cheesy Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake Casserole

This cheesy Italian sausage tortellini bake casserole is comforting, delicious, and easy to make with 5 ingredients!

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• Why you'll love this recipe
• Recipe Ingredients
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Storage and Leftovers
• Kitchen Equipment
• Alternative Ingredients
• Helpful Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Serving Suggestions
• Related Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

This tortellini casserole is the ultimate comfort food dinner recipe! I have made it many times and especially love to make it during the cold months when I crave something cheesy, comforting, and filling!

It's also a great recipe when you're hosting dinner and want something that requires minimal effort so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests but that also delivers on good taste!

If you like cozy pasta bakes, you should also try this pesto mozzarella tortellini casserole, three cheese penne pasta bake, spaghetti casserole with cream cheese, creamy mushroom chicken pasta bake, cheesy bacon mac and cheese pasta bake, and cheesy Italian sausage pasta bake too!

If you love Italian sausage recipes, you'll also love this Italian sausage tortellini soup and Italian sausage and potato soup as well!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Quick: It comes together quickly with just five ingredients! This will make your weeknight dinner effortless and delicious!
• Easy: It's easy to follow with just four simple steps.
• Comforting: It's a warm and cozy dinner recipe that'll bring you comfort during the cold seasons!
• Lots to Share: This is a large pasta casserole dish that can serve a family or large group of people! If only a couple of you are eating it, then you've got delicious leftovers for the week!

Recipe Ingredients

• Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to cook the sausage.
• Italian Sausage: This recipe uses hot Italian sausage, but you can use your preferred sausage type (i.e. mild, medium, etc.). It also needs to be removed from its casing before it's cooked. It's easy to learn how to decase a sausage in just a few simple steps!
• Tortellini Pasta: Frozen cheese tortellini is used in this recipe but any type will work. Just follow the instructions on the package when you make it!
• Marinara Tomato Sauce: You can either make your own tomato sauce or use a couple of jars of store-bought marinara.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese makes this pasta casserole super cheesy and delicious!

See the recipe card below for the ingredient measurements. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cook the sausage: Add olive oil to a large, deep pan on medium heat. Add the sausage (removed from its casing) and break it down as it cooks until browned (the same as you would with ground beef). Turn the heat off, pour the tomato sauce into the pan, and mix it with the sausage.
3. Boil the pasta: Cook the tortellini according to the instructions on the package. Drain and transfer to the pan with the sauce mixture and mix until combined. Add 2 cups of the mozzarella and mix until melted and incorporated.
4. Bake the casserole: Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13 baking dish and top with the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese melts and is slightly golden.

Storage and Leftovers

Store any leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Kitchen Equipment

• Large Pan or Pot: It's recommended that you use a large, deep frying pan or pot to make the pasta mixture because all the ingredients are mixed in it before transferring it to a baking dish, so if it's big and deep, there will be enough room to help you combine all the ingredients and avoid any messes!
• Large Pot: You will need a separate pot to boil the pasta.
• Strainer/Colander: For draining the tortellini.
• Cheese Grater: For shredding the mozzarella.
• 9x13 Baking Dish: For baking the pasta dish.

Alternative Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Ground beef is a delicious and hearty substitute for sausage.
• Spinach: A couple of handfuls of fresh or frozen spinach will add colour and flavour to this recipe.
• Spices: Add more flavour to the pasta dish using spices like Italian seasoning or garlic powder, dried basil and oregano, paprika, etc.) ½ a teaspoon of each will be enough (¼ teaspoon for the paprika).
• Onions: Sauteed diced onions would be a flavourful addition if you use store-bought marinara.

Helpful Tips

• Use a large pan or pot. You'll need room to combine the pasta mixture (sausage, sauce, tortellini, and cheese) before transferring it to a baking dish, so a large pan or pot will be helpful from the start to ensure you have enough room to mix everything.
• Avoid sticky pasta. If you notice any sticking of the tortellini after draining, just rinse it with a little bit of water, and they'll easily release from one another.
• Boil for less time. When boiling the pasta, you may consider cooking for a couple of minutes less than specified on the package to ensure the noodles don't overcook when baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

Serve with some extra tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, and red pepper chili flakes (if you like a little heat!) A simple side salad like this peppery greens salad and a fresh loaf of bread will also complement this dish.

Related Recipes

• Pesto Tortellini Pasta Bake
• Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake
• Spaghetti Casserole with Cream Cheese
• Mushroom and Chicken Pasta Casserole
• Mozzarella and Ricotta Pasta Bake
• Mac and Cheese Pasta Bake
• Red Pasta Sauce from Scratch

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