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    Home » Cook » Easy Weeknight

    Published: Mar 8, 2023 by Slow The Cook Down

    Easy Tortellini Pasta Bake

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest graphic. Tortellini pasta bake with text overlay.
    Pinterest graphic. Tortellini pasta bake with text overlay.

    Cheesy and rich, this tortellini pasta bake recipe is perfect for a hearty and comforting family dinner. Made with frozen or fresh tortellini, fresh vegetables and pasta are cooked in a tomato sauce and topped with lots of cheese. Easy to make and delicious to eat!

    Baked tortellini and vegetables in a white baking dish, garnished with fresh basil.

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my privacy policy here.

    When it comes to comfort food, it doesn't get much more satisfying than a cheesy pasta recipe, and this tortellini pasta bake is all kinds of goodness! Filled tortellini and fresh veggies are baked in a rich sauce and topped with plenty of cheese!

    This dish comes together easily with minimal prep needed, before it's baked in the oven. It's a great go to weeknight dinner that the whole family can enjoy.

    If you've got a craving for some rich and cheesy carbs, then this pasta casserole recipe is for you!

    Be sure to try my Creamy Vegetarian Pasta Bake and Beef and Tomato Pasta Bake too!

    Why you will love this recipe!

    • Simple ingredients: There's nothing out of the ordinary in this recipe and you can easily grab everything you need during your weekly shopping trip. You may even have a lot of things already in your pantry!
    • Easy to adapt: This recipe is easy to make your own and perfect if you have picky eaters!
    • Make ahead: This is a great option for your weekly meal prep. It keeps well and the leftovers taste awesome!
    Cheesy tortellini pasta bake in a white baking dish.

    Ingredients

    • Vegetables: Onions and bell peppers.
    • Tortellini: You can use frozen or fresh tortellini in this recipe. Just cook it according to the package instructions before mixing with the sauce and veggies.
    • Rose Pasta Sauce: This tomato based sauce is rich and creamy, and makes the dish a little more indulgent.
    • Black Olives: I love the salty tang that the sliced black olives add.
    • Cheese: The tortellini bake is topped with shredded cheddar and a little parmesan.

    How to make this tortellini pasta bake recipe

    Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

    • Saute the onions and bell peppers (photo 1).
    • Cook the tortellini and mix it together with the vegetables, pasta sauce and olives (photo 2).
    • Place the pasta in a baking dish and top with the cheese (photo 3).
    • Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted (photo 4).
    Four step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.

    Recipe Variations

    This tortellini pasta bake is easy to make your own!

    • Use your favorite tortellini filling, they will all work great!
    • I love rose sauce, but most jarred sauces will work great. Marinara, alfredo and vodka pasta sauces all work well.
    • Use different veggies like mushrooms, spinach or carrots.
    • Add in more protein. If you are going for a cheese filled tortellini, cook up some sausage, shredded chicken or ground meat to add in.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you make a pasta bake in the air fryer?

    For those of you who have an air fryer, pasta bakes come out great in them! They bake quicker and won't heat up your whole kitchen. Check out my Air Fryer Pasta Bake recipe for temperatures and timings!

    Do you need to cook the pasta before baking it?

    Yes. If you don't cook the pasta first, it will be hard and crunchy as it won't fully cook through in the sauce. Cook it till the pasta is al dente, you don't want it too be too soft or it will overcook when it is baked.

    Can you make this recipe with other types of pasta?

    I love tortellini as the fillings provide protein which means you have more of a well balanced dinner. You can make this with short pastas like rigatoni or fusilli.

    Pasta bake served on to a white plate with a spoon.

    Serving Suggestions

    If you just want a big plate of this tortellini bake by itself, then I won't judge you! If you are feeling particularly hungry, serve it up with some garlic bread, or it's great with a side salad or fresh veggies. Try it with some of these favorites:

    • Pizza Dough Garlic Balls
    • Lettuce Greek Salad
    • Roasted White Asparagus
    • Cheesy Garlic Bread

    Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating

    You can make the whole recipe up to the point of baking, then cover it and place in the fridge for up to 2 days til you are ready to cook it. You can also freeze it at this point for up to 3 months.

    Once cooked, the tortellini casserole will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. It is easily reheated in the oven at 360F / 180c for 15 minutes to warm through. You can also reheat it in the microwave. Frozen pasta bake will take slightly longer to warm through.

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    • Cook the pasta in salted water. This will help to add flavor to the dish.
    • If you have a favorite homemade pasta sauce you can use that in this recipe, just make sure it is thick and not to watery, or your pasta bake may end up soggy.
    • If you have picky eaters that don't enjoy veggies, once sautéed, you can blend them up with a little of the pasta sauce and no one will know they are there!
    A serving spoon in the pasta bake.

    When you are in the mood for something easy, cheesy and comforting, this tortellini pasta bake is a no brainer! Simple to make, it's rich, filling and so satisfying!

    More Delicious Pasta Recipes

    • Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells
    • Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
    • Goats Cheese and Beef Pasta
    • Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta

    I love hearing from you!! If you have tried this tortellini pasta bake, be sure to scroll down, give it a star rating and let me know what you thought!

    For more tasty treats, food inspiration and fun, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest – come say hi!

    Be sure to keep in touch and sign up to Slow The Cook Down to grab your free e-book ‘Stress Free Recipes Made For Sharing’

    Tortellini pasta bake garnished with fresh basil.

    Tortellini Pasta Bake

    Cheesy and rich, this tortellini pasta bake recipe is perfect for a hearty and comforting family dinner. Made with frozen or fresh tortellini, fresh vegetables and pasta are cooked in a tomato sauce and topped with lots of cheese.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 536kcal
    Author: Slow The Cook Down

    Equipment

    • 10.5 inch baking dish

    Ingredients

    • 2 onions
    • 2 bell peppers (I prefer to use red, but any color can be used)
    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 1½ pounds tortellini (frozen or fresh) (680g)
    • 1 jar rose pasta sauce (22oz / 648ml)
    • 1 cup sliced black olives (about ½ can)
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (85g)
    • 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan
    • pinch black pepper
    • fresh basil (to garnish)

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 360F / 180c.
    • Dice the onions and bell peppers. Add the oil to the skillet and place on a medium high heat on the stovetop. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and peppers and saute til soft. Set to one side.
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions (usually around 8 to 10 minutes).
    • Once cooked, drain the pasta. Add the pasta back to the pot and stir in the cooked vegetables, rose pasta sauce and black olives til well combined.
    • Pour the pasta and sauce into your baking dish and top with the cheeses. Top with a pinch or two of black pepper.
    • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes til the cheese has melted and the sauce underneath is bubbling.
    • Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

    Notes

    • Cook the pasta in salted water. This will help to add flavor to the dish.
    • If you have a favorite homemade pasta sauce you can use that in this recipe, just make sure it is thick and not to watery, or your pasta bake may end up soggy.
    • If you have picky eaters that don't enjoy veggies, once sautéed, you can blend them up with a little of the pasta sauce and no one will know they are there!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 536kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 1477mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1977IU | Vitamin C: 61mg | Calcium: 338mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it today!Mention @SlowTheCookDown or tag #SlowTheCookDown!
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