If you’re craving something bubbling with cheese, packed with Italian flavors, and guaranteed to satisfy a hungry crowd, Baked Tortellini with Sausage is about to be your new favorite comfort food. This dish takes pillowy cheese tortellini, savory sausage, and a rich tomato sauce, then blankets them under a layer of gooey, golden cheese. Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or impressing friends at your next potluck, Baked Tortellini with Sausage is so simple and so delicious, you’ll want to make it again and again.

Baked Tortellini with Sausage Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Baked Tortellini with Sausage recipe was chosen for a reason—bringing flavor, texture, or that irresistible cheesy pull. You don’t need anything fancy, but the results are always impressive and crowd-pleasing.

Italian sausage: Choose sweet or spicy for big flavor and heartiness—remove the casings for a crumbled texture.
Cheese tortellini: Refrigerated tortellini cooks up silky and tender in minutes, soaking up all the saucy goodness.
Marinara sauce: Use your favorite jarred brand or go homemade for a truly personal touch.
Ricotta cheese: Adds creamy richness and balances the tang of marinara and savoriness of sausage.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Delivers that dreamy melted cheese blanket on top—don’t be shy with it!
Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, nutty notes and some gorgeous golden color in the final bake.
Garlic: Just a couple of cloves brings mellow, deep flavor that infuses every bite.
Olive oil: Helps brown the sausage and amps up flavor—use a good quality extra-virgin if you have it.
Italian seasoning: This blend of herbs brings the classic Italian aroma and taste to the dish in one step.
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): For a little heat and dimension, sprinkle to taste or skip for a milder bake.
Salt and black pepper: Season to bring all those flavors into harmony—taste and adjust as you go.
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish: A shower of fresh herbs at the end lifts everything with color and zing.

How to Make Baked Tortellini with Sausage

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat, then add the crumbled Italian sausage. Sauté for about 5 to 7 minutes until it’s beautifully browned and cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks. At the end, toss in the minced garlic for another minute—your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly at this point!

Step 2: Cook the Tortellini

While the sausage is cooking, boil a big pot of salted water. Add the refrigerated cheese tortellini and cook them just according to package directions—usually about 3 or 4 minutes. Drain them well so they don’t water down your casserole, then get ready for the assembly.

Step 3: Combine Everything

Grab a large bowl and gently mix together the cooked tortellini, the savory sausage and garlic, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, and those optional red pepper flakes if you like a bit of spice. Stir very gently so the tortellini holds its shape—a silicone spatula works wonders here!

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray. Pour in your tortellini and sausage mixture, smoothing it out evenly. Now, blanket the top with lots of shredded mozzarella and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan. This layer is what transforms the whole dish into that cheesy, golden masterpiece we crave.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20 minutes—this lets the flavors mingle and the cheese begin to melt. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and gorgeously golden at the edges. Let the Baked Tortellini with Sausage rest for about 5 minutes before serving so everything settles and it’s easier to scoop.

How to Serve Baked Tortellini with Sausage

Garnishes

Right before serving, shower the casserole with fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and freshness. A finishing grind of black pepper or a little extra Parmesan is always welcome, too!

Side Dishes

A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette, warm garlic bread, or roasted vegetables make perfect companions for Baked Tortellini with Sausage. The dish is quite rich, so crisp or citrusy sides are lovely to balance it all out.

Creative Ways to Present

Make individual portions in ramekins for a dinner party, or serve the casserole straight out of the baking dish family style. For a fun twist, top with toasted Italian breadcrumbs or crispy fried shallots for extra crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Baked Tortellini with Sausage keeps wonderfully in the fridge. Just cover the baking dish tightly, or transfer to airtight containers, and store for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making it even more delicious as leftovers.

Freezing

This recipe is freezer-friendly. Assemble the dish, cool completely, and wrap well in foil and plastic wrap before baking. You can freeze it for up to two months. If already baked, portion into containers and freeze individual servings for easy lunches.

Reheating

To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Single servings can be microwaved, but for best texture, a quick trip in the oven or toaster oven revives that melty cheese and toasty edges.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini instead of refrigerated?

Absolutely! Just add a minute or two to the cooking time, making sure the tortellini is tender but not mushy before mixing it with the other ingredients.

What kind of sausage works best?

Both sweet and spicy Italian sausage are fantastic in this recipe. For another twist, try chicken, turkey, or even vegetarian sausage for a lighter or meatless version.

Can I add vegetables to this bake?

Definitely! Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted peppers all work beautifully. Fold them in with the tortellini and sausage before baking to add color, nutrients, and extra flavor.

Is it possible to assemble Baked Tortellini with Sausage ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to a day ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time since it will be cold from the fridge.

How can I make this dish gluten-free?

Look for gluten-free tortellini and double-check your sausage and marinara sauce labels. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so this adaptation is easy and tasty!

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like digging into a bubbling pan of Baked Tortellini with Sausage—the aroma, the cheesy stretch, the layers of cozy, comforting flavors. Give this recipe a spin for your next dinner and see just how quickly it disappears. It’s sure to become a staple in your rotation!

Baked Tortellini with Sausage Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A comforting and flavorful baked tortellini dish with savory Italian sausage, gooey cheeses, and aromatic seasonings. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Baked Tortellini:

1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
20 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste

For Garnish:

Chopped fresh basil or parsley

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the Sausage: In a skillet, cook the crumbled sausage in olive oil until browned.
Prepare the Tortellini: Cook the tortellini as per package instructions and drain.
Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the cooked tortellini, sausage, garlic, marinara, ricotta, seasonings, and red pepper flakes.
Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with cheeses, cover, and bake. Uncover and bake until cheese is bubbly.
Serve: Let it rest before serving, garnish with basil or parsley.