Easy Tortellini Bake with Sausage
This Easy Tortellini Bake with Sausage will be a hit with your whole family! Fresh tortellini is baked with an easy, hearty meat sauce and lots of melted cheese for the ultimate comfort food! The best part is, you do NOT have to pre-boil your tortellini--it just cooks right in the baking dish with the sauce! This is also a great recipe to make ahead and bake when you're ready to enjoy a perfect dinner!
Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb. Italian sausage sweet or hot, casings removed if necessary
- 1 28 oz. jar marinara sauce I only use Rao's!
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 lb. refrigerated cheese tortellini pasta See Note 1
- Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley or basil, red pepper flakes, optional for serving
Instructions
- Prep: Spray a 9x12 (or similar) baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. When oil is hot, add Italian sausage and cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks (about 3-4 minutes). Drain any grease, if necessary. Hint: During the last 2 minutes of cooking, use a potato masher to break up the meat nice and fine!
- Add: When sausage is browned, add pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and sugar. Mix well to combine and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Stir in heavy cream.
- Start to Assemble: Spread about 1 1/2 cups of the sauce evenly over the bottom of your casserole dish. Then, add tortellini in an even layer.
- Layer: Add half the cheese on top of the tortellini. Then layer on the rest of the sauce and finally, top with the remaining cheese. Make sure all of the tortellini is covered with the sauce/cheese.
- Bake: Cover with aluminum foil, then bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and the dish is hot throughout. Optional: Broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get the cheese golden brown.
- Rest: Remove pan from the oven and let the dish rest for a couple of minutes. If you like, top with Parmesan cheese, chili flakes and fresh parsley or basil. Serve right away.
Notes
Note 1: Feel free to use whatever type of fresh, refrigerated tortellini pasta you can find at the store.
Nutritional information is only an estimate based on the Very Well Fit Nutrition Calculator
Nutrition
Calories: 568kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 27gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10.7gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 1206mgPotassium: 490mgFiber: 4.6gSugar: 12.8gVitamin D: 2µgCalcium: 238mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!