Description
Hearty tortellini pasta bake celebrates classic Italian comfort cuisine with rich cheese and savory herbs. Creamy layers of pasta and robust sauce promise a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 oz (570 g) tortellini (cheese or meat-filled, fresh or refrigerated)
- 2 cups (500 ml) marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or whole milk (optional, for creamier sauce)
- 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing dish)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly oil a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Pasta Cooking: Cook tortellini in boiling water until al dente, then drain thoroughly, preserving the pasta’s delicate texture.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk together marinara, cream, Italian herbs, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to craft a robust, aromatic sauce.
- Pasta Coating: Delicately toss the cooked tortellini in the seasoned sauce, ensuring each piece is completely enveloped in flavor.
- Layering and Cheese Topping: Spread the sauced tortellini evenly in the prepared baking dish, then lavishly cover with a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Baking Process: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese melts completely, creating a golden, bubbling surface.
- Final Broiling: Activate the broiler for a brief moment to achieve a perfectly caramelized, crispy cheese crust.
- Garnishing and Serving: Sprinkle fresh basil, parsley, and additional Parmesan over the baked dish. Serve piping hot with crusty garlic bread or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Cook tortellini just until al dente to maintain texture and prevent mushiness, ensuring each pasta pocket remains tender yet firm.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Mix marinara and cream carefully to create a smooth, creamy sauce that coats tortellini evenly without becoming too runny or thick.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle cheese in layers for optimal melting, allowing mozzarella and Parmesan to create a golden, crispy top with maximum flavor coverage.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap dairy cheese for plant-based alternatives, use gluten-free tortellini, or incorporate vegetarian protein sources like roasted vegetables for diverse dietary requirements.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg