Dinner

Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe

Name: Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 pound tortellini (fresh or frozen); 1 pound ground beef or turkey; 2 cups marinara sauce; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

ByLily Cross December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

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Introduction

This Million Dollar Baked Tortellini Casserole is a rich, creamy, and cheesy dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. With tender tortellini pasta, savory meat sauce, and a luscious blend of cream cheese and mozzarella, it’s the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.

The image shows a clear glass baking dish filled with baked tortellini pasta. The dish has two visible layers: the bottom layer is a rich red tomato sauce mixed with the stuffed pasta, and the top layer is melted, golden-brown cheese with some browned spots and a sprinkling of green herbs scattered across for color contrast. The tortellini are round with small holes in the center, covered by the cheese but still visible, showing their soft, slightly wrinkled texture. The dish sits on a white marbled surface, and the focus is close-up on the pasta, highlighting the gooey and crispy cheese texture on top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound tortellini (fresh or frozen)
1 pound ground beef or turkey
2 cups marinara sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
Step 4: Stir in marinara sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
Step 5: In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.
Step 6: Spread half of the meat sauce evenly in the baking dish.
Step 7: Layer half of the cooked tortellini over the sauce.
Step 8: Spread the cream cheese mixture over the tortellini, then layer the remaining tortellini and the rest of the meat sauce on top.
Step 9: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole.
Step 10: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Step 11: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

Substitute ground beef with ground chicken or a plant-based alternative for a different flavor.
Make the casserole a day ahead, refrigerate assembled, and bake when ready.
Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrition and flavor.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. This casserole can also be frozen before baking; bake from frozen covered at 375°F (190°C) for 40–45 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a baked tortellini dish in a clear glass baking dish, showing one thick layer of cheese melted over golden browned tortellini pasta, with tomato sauce visible beneath and some green herbs sprinkled on top. The tortellini are plump and slightly browned, arranged evenly throughout the dish, with gooey melted cheese covering most of the surface. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes, assemble the casserole and freeze before baking. When ready, bake directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 40–45 minutes covered, then uncover and bake 10–15 minutes more until bubbly.