Nothing beats a comfort food casserole and this tortellini casserole is definitely comfort food at its finest!
Using packaged tortellini helps to save time and makes this pasta casserole extra special.
If you add the mushrooms, peppers, and onions, it's like the flavors a sausage, pepper, and onion sandwich morphed into a baked ziti or a lasagna. At least that's how I explained it to my husband when he asked what was for dinner!
Sounds good, right? It so is!
HOW TO MAKE BAKED TORTELLINI
This tortellini baked is made by layering cooked frozen tortellini, browned Italian Sausage, sautéed vegetables, marinara sauce, and cheese. It is baked in the oven until the cheese is golden and bubbly. See below for detailed recipe instructions.WHAT KIND OF SAUSAGE SHOULD I USE?
For this baked tortellini, I use bulk Italian sausage. Bulk sausage is the same thing as Italian sausage links but without the casings. If you cannot find bulk Italian sausage at your local grocery store, you can purchase links and remove the sausage from the casings before browning. You can use hot or mild Italian sausage depending on your preference.
HOW TO SCALE THIS RECIPE
I have made this recipe using 18 ounces of tortellini all the way up to 32 ounces of tortellini. If you use more tortellini than 18 ounces, I recommend adding an extra cup of sauce but leave the remaining ingredients at written.WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS TORTELLINI AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE BAKE
The best accompaniment for a pasta casserole like this is a side salad and some garlic bread!MORE PASTA CASSEROLE RECIPES
Looking for a few more pasta casserole recipes to try? Check out a few more popular pasta casseroles from the archives:
If you try this Tortellini and Italian Sausage Bake, I'd love to know what you think in the comments below! Enjoy!
Tortellini and Italian Sausage Bake
This easy to make Tortellini and Italian Sausage Bake is hearty, comforting, and full of fresh Italian flavor!
prep time: cook time: total time: 45 MIN
INGREDIENTS
2 (9 ounce) bags frozen cheese tortellini
1 lb bulk Italian sausage
1 cup mushrooms, bell pepper or onions, chopped, optional
1 jar (or 3 cups) spaghetti sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
fresh basil, chopped, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cook the tortellini according to the package directions.
3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown the sausage and drain off the grease.
4. If you are adding vegetables to your dish, remove the sausage from the pan reserving a tablespoon of the grease and sauté the veggies in the reserved grease for a few minutes to soften them.
5. Place the cooked tortellini in a 9 x 13 baking dish and top with the sausage, the veggies, the sauce, and then the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
4. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the cheese starts to turn golden and bubbly. Top with fresh basil, if desired.
NOTES
Author: Becky
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Photos updated on June 15, 2020. Original recipe photo below:
What do you do with the sausage ?
ReplyDeleteYou spread it on top of the tortellini before the veggies, sauce and cheese. I edited the post!
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