Baked Tortellini Casserole with Meat Sauce Recipe

Baked Tortellini Casserole recipe is delicious and comforting recipe with a hearty turkey meat sauce that the whole family will love. This easy recipe is great for a busy weeknight!

If you’re a fan of hearty and satisfying meals that are easy to make, this Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole is sure to become a go-to dish in your household. Packed with flavorful ingredients and both ricotta and Parmesan cheese, this comforting casserole is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a gathering with friends and family.

With a savory ground turkey and ricotta sauce, combined with tender cheese-filled tortellini, this recipe the ultimate comfort food. 

For another awesome no boil baked pasta, try my Baked Ravioli with Chicken and Broccoli. And, if you love easy 5-ingredient comfort food, definitely check out this Chicken Parmesan Casserole or this Baked Feta Pasta with Shrimp. 

Have a lot of ground turkey to use up? Don’t miss my post on recipes to make using Costco Butterball Ground Turkey. And, if you love ground turkey recipes, try this Italian Turkey Lasagna recipe!

You’ll Love this Baked Tortellini Casserole

So easy and so comforting, this Baked Tortellini Casserole recipe is no-boil and has a meaty ground turkey sauce with creamy ricotta cheese.

I love making recipes that require little clean up and are so satisfying! This Baked Tortellini Casserole is both. Creamy and cheesy, this easy recipe is so delicious and can be made ahead with ease.

This recipe is so delicious thanks to the flavorful sauce. Here, I use a combination of onions, garlic, and canned tomato sauce to make a simple red sauce for the tortellini. However, store-bought marinara sauce could be substituted. 

The sauce cooks together with lean ground turkey. You can always substitute ground meat like beef or Italian sausage in this recipe, or omit the meat altogether. 

To make the cheesy tortellini bake extra delicious, stir in a cup of ricotta cheese. This will give the sauce a delicious creaminess and adds a beautiful pinkish hue. 

The tortellini is a classic fresh tortellini that you can find in the refrigerator section of the grocery store. No need to boil the tortellini ahead of time either! It cooks right in the sauce as it bakes. 

You’re going to love this easy dinner recipe that’s even delicious the next day. Topped with mozzarella cheese, this casserole is pure comfort food! 

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Ground Turkey: ground turkey is a great option because it’s lean and easy to find. However, you can substitute ground beef or Italian sausage in this recipe. 
• Tomato Sauce: use your favorite canned tomato sauce here. I prefer the smooth sauce instead of the chunky. If you are using marinara sauce instead of tomato sauce, simply omit the additional onion, garlic, salt, and seasoning. 
• Ricotta: you can use either part-skim or whole milk ricotta cheese. Cottage cheese would be a delicious and healthy substitute as well. 
• Tortellini: the classic cheese tortellini works great in this recipe. You can substitute other flavors of tortellini as well. Be sure are using the fresh tortellini and not the smaller dried tortellini. 
• Mozzarella: shredded mozzarella is used to get that cheese topping to the baked tortellini casserole. You can use whole milk or part skim mozzarella here. 

How to Make Baked Tortellini Casserole

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Set aside a large casserole dish or 9 x 13 inch baking pan. 

Step 1: cook the meat

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté diced onions until softened. Then, add minced garlic, kosher salt, and a dash of Italian seasoning to elevate the flavors. Incorporate the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, until it is perfectly browned and cooked through. 

Step 2: add in the tomato sauce

Once the meat is ready, add two cans of tomato sauce, bringing the mixture to a simmer. The result is a hearty and delectable sauce that serves as the foundation of this casserole.

Step 3: Stir in the ricotta

To add a creaminess to the tortellini casserole, add in ricotta cheese. Choose either part-skim ricotta for a lighter version or indulge in the creaminess of whole milk ricotta. Once the tomato sauce is ready, turn off the heat and gently fold in the ricotta. The cheese will melt into the sauce. 

Step 4: layer on tortellini and bake

Now comes the star of the show – the cheese tortellini! This delicious pasta is filled with gooey, melty cheese, making it the perfect match for our savory sauce. Choose fresh or frozen cheese tortellini. 

Pour the uncooked tortellini into a 9×13 baking dish. Then, pour the prepared sauce over the tortellini, gently tossing to coat each piece evenly.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top and and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheesy is melted and bubbly. 

Easy Cheesy Baked Tortellini

In just a few simple steps, you’ve created a Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole that’s bursting with flavor and comfort. The combination of savory hearty meat sauce and creamy ricotta in a rich tomato sauce, perfectly paired with tender cheese-filled tortellini, is an irresistible treat for any occasion. 

Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or simply looking for a satisfying weeknight meal, this casserole will bring smiles to the table and warm hearts. Serve with a side of garlic bread for a truly delicious meal. 

Recipe Tips

• Ground Turkey: Make this recipe vegetarian and omit the ground turkey and use veggies instead. Or use whatever ground meat you have on hand such as ground beef or Italian sausage.  
• Tortellini: I recommend using cheese tortellini but you can use whatever kind of tortellini you have on hand. This would be great with spinach and cheese, or even ravioli. Be sure you are using the fresh tortellini and not the dried tortellini for this recipe. 
• Ricotta: no ricotta, no problem! Use cottage cheese, 4 ounces of cream cheese, or skip the ricotta part altogether. 
• Make Ahead Instructions: Make the entire baked tortellini casserole ahead of time but save the baking for later. This is a great dish to prep on the weekend and bake during the week. This is also a great freezer meal. 
• Serving: serve this cheesy baked tortellini recipe with a side salad for a complete meal. 
• Leftovers: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up 3 days.