Get ready to fall in love with the creamiest, cheesiest, and most satisfying pasta dish you’ll ever make. This Alfredo Tortellini Bake is the definition of comfort food, combining tender cheese tortellini, a rich and velvety homemade Alfredo sauce, and a golden, bubbly mozzarella topping. It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner that tastes like it came from a fancy Italian restaurant but is surprisingly simple to whip up in your own kitchen. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for a crowd-pleasing casserole for a potluck, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.
This isn’t just another pasta bake; it’s a game-changer. We’re using a simple, flavor-packed Alfredo sauce that comes together in minutes. Forget the jarred stuff—this homemade version is incredibly rich and makes all the difference. The result is an irresistibly decadent Alfredo Tortellini Bake that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why This Alfredo Tortellini Bake is a Must-Try
You are going to absolutely adore this recipe, and here’s why it will become a staple in your dinner rotation.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The homemade Alfredo sauce is rich with garlic, Parmesan, and cream, creating a luxurious coating for every single tortellini.
- Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and a straightforward process, you can have this comforting bake on the table in under an hour. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights.
- Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This dish is pure comfort in a casserole dish. The combination of cheesy tortellini and creamy sauce is a classic that both kids and adults love.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s elegant enough for a special dinner but simple enough for a casual family meal. It also makes a fantastic dish to bring to gatherings. For another great casserole idea, check out this delicious hamburger green bean casserole.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly spectacular dish. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
- Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini: The star of the show! Fresh tortellini cooks up beautifully and has the best texture for this bake.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter as the rich base for our Alfredo sauce.
- Heavy Cream: This is essential for creating that signature, velvety Alfredo texture.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better and taste infinitely better than the pre-shredded kind.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs that adds a lovely aromatic touch.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To enhance all the flavors.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: For that glorious, golden-brown cheesy topping.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped for garnish, adding a touch of freshness and color.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Alfredo Tortellini Bake is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
- Prep Your Oven and Pan: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cheese tortellini according to the package directions, but cook for 1-2 minutes less than the recommended time, as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain well.
- Start the Alfredo Sauce: While the tortellini cooks, melt the butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make It Creamy: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken slightly.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from the heat and gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Combine and Bake: Gently fold the drained tortellini into the Alfredo sauce until everything is well-coated. Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown. For a crispier top, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Alfredo Tortellini Bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and enjoy!
Variations and Add-Ins
While this cheesy Alfredo Tortellini Bake is fantastic on its own, it’s also a wonderful base for additions. Here are a few ideas to customize it.
- Add Protein: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked Italian sausage, or crispy prosciutto for a heartier meal. This Italian sausage pasta bake is another family favorite!
- Sneak in Veggies: Add a cup of steamed broccoli florets, a handful of fresh spinach (stir it into the sauce to wilt), or sautéed mushrooms.
- Spice It Up: For a little kick, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce.
- Different Cheeses: Try a blend of mozzarella and provolone on top, or add a dollop of ricotta cheese for extra creaminess, similar to what you might find in ricotta stuffed shells.
Storing and Reheating
This dish is great for leftovers! To store, let the bake cool completely, then cover it tightly or transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave. For the best results, reheat it in an oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You may want to add a splash of milk or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
Yes! You can assemble the entire casserole without baking it. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, bake it directly from the fridge, adding about 10-15 minutes to the total baking time.
Absolutely. You can use frozen tortellini without thawing it first. Just add a few extra minutes to the boiling time to ensure it’s cooked properly before draining and adding it to the sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
This recipe is very versatile! You can add shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked ground sausage, steamed broccoli, or fresh spinach. Stir them in with the tortellini and sauce before topping with cheese and baking.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, steamed green beans, or a side of garlic bread to soak up the delicious Alfredo sauce.
Yes! You can assemble the entire casserole without baking it. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, bake it directly from the fridge, adding about 10-15 minutes to the total baking time.
Absolutely. You can use frozen tortellini without thawing it first. Just add a few extra minutes to the boiling time to ensure it’s cooked properly before draining and adding it to the sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
This recipe is very versatile! You can add shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked ground sausage, steamed broccoli, or fresh spinach. Stir them in with the tortellini and sauce before topping with cheese and baking.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, steamed green beans, or a side of garlic bread to soak up the delicious Alfredo sauce.
The Perfect Cheesy Alfredo Tortellini Bake
This Alfredo Tortellini Bake recipe is a true testament to how simple ingredients can create an incredibly delicious and satisfying meal. It’s a dish that brings warmth and comfort to the dinner table with its rich flavors and cheesy goodness. We hope you love making it as much as we do. If you try it, please leave a comment below or share a picture on Pinterest!
Alfredo Tortellini Bake: The Ultimate Creamy Comfort Dish
Discover the ultimate Alfredo Tortellini Bake! This easy recipe features tender cheese tortellini in a rich, homemade Alfredo sauce, all baked under a golden layer of bubbly mozzarella. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the cheese tortellini according to package directions, but undercook by 1-2 minutes. Drain well.
- While tortellini cooks, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken.
- Remove from heat and gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Gently fold the drained tortellini into the Alfredo sauce. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
- Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For a crispier topping: Broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching very carefully to prevent burning.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Alfredo Tortellini Bake: The Ultimate Creamy Comfort Dish
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the cheese tortellini according to package directions, but undercook by 1-2 minutes. Drain well.
- While tortellini cooks, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken.
- Remove from heat and gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Gently fold the drained tortellini into the Alfredo sauce. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
- Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
