Description
This Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Bake is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired casserole featuring tender cheese tortellini cooked to perfection, savory Italian sausage, and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a golden, bubbly finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 package (9 oz.) cheese tortellini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 lb. Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
- 3 cups (24 oz.) tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the cheese tortellini and cook according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain well using a colander and set aside.
- Brown the Sausage: While the tortellini cooks, heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes until the oil shimmers. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
- Sauté Onions: Add the finely chopped onions to the skillet with the sausage and sauté until tender and translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes. Stir to combine evenly.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour in the tomato sauce, add the chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to deepen flavors.
- Combine Tortellini and Sauce: Add the drained tortellini to the skillet and stir well to coat all the pasta in the sauce.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the tortellini mixture in the skillet.
- Bake the Casserole: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring the mixture to another dish for baking.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing onions.
- Make sure to not overcook tortellini as it will continue cooking slightly in the oven.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
