Updated with new tips and storage instructions.
Cheesy Italian Sausage Tortellini Bake That’s Perfect for Busy Weeknights
Looking for a cozy, no-fuss dinner that feels indulgent but takes almost no effort? This cheesy Italian sausage and tortellini bake is the kind of recipe busy weeknights were made for. With just a few simple ingredients—savory Italian sausage, pillowy cheese tortellini, rich tomato sauce, and a gooey melted cheese topping—you can have a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal in the oven in minutes.
What makes this recipe Discover-worthy is its visual appeal and universal comfort-food appeal. As it bakes, the sauce bubbles up around the tortellini while the cheese melts into a golden, irresistible layer. It’s the kind of casserole dish people stop scrolling for—and immediately save.
This pasta bake is also endlessly flexible. Use spicy sausage for a little heat, mild sausage for family-friendly flavor, or sneak in vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to stretch the meal even further. It’s perfect for feeding a hungry family, sharing with friends, or stocking your freezer for future dinners.
Serve it with Cheesy Garlic Bread, homemade Ciabatta Bread or some crusty French Bread and a crisp salad, and you’ve got a complete meal that feels like it came straight from an Italian restaurant—without the wait or the cleanup. Simple, cheesy, and satisfying, this sausage and tortellini bake is comfort food at its best.
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Sausage and Pasta
- Total Time: 1:05
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground Italian Sausage
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 24 oz package of fresh cheese Tortellini
- 3 cups spaghetti sauce (1–24 oz jar) + ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in an oven safe skillet. Crumble in sausage and cook through, until no longer pink.
- Stir in spaghetti sauce, Italian seasoning water, and tortellini.
- Bring mixture to a boil, turn heat down to low, cover and simmer for about 8 minutes or until tortellini is tender. While pasta is cooking, turn broiler on to low (optional).
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over tortellini.
- Place pan under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted. Alternately, you could place the lid back on the pan and let the heat from the pasta melt the cheese.
Notes
- Pro tip: Want to make this pasta more spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes. On the flip side, if you don’t want it to be spicy, just use mild Italian sausages.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator:
Allow leftovers to cool completely, then store in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezer:
This dish freezes well. Portion into freezer-safe containers or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for best quality.
Reheating Instructions
Oven (Best Method):
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the pasta with foil and heat for 20–25 minutes, or until warmed through. Add a splash of sauce if needed to prevent drying.
Microwave:
Reheat individual portions in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until hot. Add a little sauce or water if the pasta looks dry.
From Frozen:
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as directed above. To reheat from frozen, bake covered at 350°F for 45–60 minutes.
- Prep Time: :20
- Cook Time: :45
- Category: Entree
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian