Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole

Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! This creamy, cheesy, and indulgent dish combines tender tortellini with a luscious blend of cream cheese, ricotta, marinara, and mozzarella.

Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or even special occasions, this casserole is guaranteed to impress. It’s rich, satisfying, and tastes like a million bucks!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large pot
• Mixing bowls
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Grater (for shredding cheese)

Ingredients

• 1 (20 oz) package of refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Cook the Tortellini:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. Cook the Meat Mixture:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage with the diced onion until browned. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the marinara sauce and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, if using.

4. Make the Creamy Mixture:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.

5. Assemble the Casserole:

• Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the cooked tortellini over the sauce. Spread the creamy mixture evenly over the tortellini. Top with the remaining meat sauce.

6. Add Cheese and Bake:

• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

7. Serve:

• Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
35 minutes

Total Time
50 minutes

Nutrition (per serving, approx. 6 servings)

Calories: ~520

Protein: 28g

Carbohydrates: 32g

Fat: 30g

Fiber: 3g

Sodium: 860mg

Expert Tips

• For extra flavor, use a mix of ground beef and sausage.
• Want more veggies? Add a layer of sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
• To make this dish ahead, assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini?

Yes, just make sure to cook it first according to the package instructions.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Absolutely! Assemble the casserole and freeze it unbaked. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.

What other cheeses can I use? Swap mozzarella with provolone or add a sprinkle of Gruyère for a rich twist.

Storing & Reheating

Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or in the microwave until warmed through.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
• Swap marinara sauce with Alfredo sauce for a creamy version.
• Add crispy breadcrumbs on top for an extra crunch!

Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole

Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! This creamy, cheesy, and indulgent dish combines tender tortellini with a luscious blend of cream cheese, ricotta, marinara, and mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or even special occasions, this casserole is guaranteed to impress. It’s rich, satisfying, and tastes like a million bucks!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• Large pot
• Mixing bowls
• - 9x13-inch baking dish
• - Wooden spoon or spatula
• - Grater (for shredding cheese)

Ingredients

  

• - 1 20 oz package of refrigerated or frozen cheese tortellini
• - 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• - 1 small onion diced
• - 2 cloves garlic minced
• - 1 24 oz jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
• - 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• - 1/2 cup cream cheese softened
• - 1/2 cup sour cream
• - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
• - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• - 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
• - Salt and black pepper to taste
• - Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

 

• **1. Preheat the Oven:**
• - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• **2. Cook the Tortellini:**
• - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• **3. Cook the Meat Mixture:**
• - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage with the diced onion until browned. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the marinara sauce and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, if using.
• **4. Make the Creamy Mixture:**
• - In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.
• **5. Assemble the Casserole:**
• - Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer the cooked tortellini over the sauce. Spread the creamy mixture evenly over the tortellini. Top with the remaining meat sauce.
• **6. Add Cheese and Bake:**
• - Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
• **7. Serve:**
• - Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!