This one sits right in the sweet spot of comfort and zero stress. Out of all the main dishes I’ve made on repeat, this cheesy baked tortellini just never gets old. You don’t need special skills. You don’t need a hundred ingredients. You need an oven, some pasta, and a serious craving for something warm, rich, and easy enough to pull off while half-listening to a podcast or yelling at your cat to get off the counter.

There’s no sauce-simmering marathon here. Just toss, layer, bake. And somehow, it ends up tasting like something that took hours – cheese bubbling up around the edges, pasta holding onto that soft bite, and a top that gives you that crisp-melty combo we all chase.

This isn’t dinner. It’s a favor to your future self.

Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 package (20 oz) of fresh cheese tortellini
  • 2 cups of jarred marinara or tomato basil sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon of dried Italian herbs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and cracked pepper, based on your mood
  • Fresh basil, if it’s hanging around

Instructions

Preparation

Heat up the oven to 375°F. No need to get fancy.

Boil water with a good pinch of salt. Drop the tortellini in for just 2–3 minutes. This isn’t their final destination, just a quick warm-up. Drain but don’t rinse.

Toss the pasta with:

  • your marinara
  • cream
  • half of the mozzarella
  • all of the Parmesan
  • seasoning

Make sure it’s coated like it means business.

Cooking

Grease a baking dish with olive oil. Pour everything in. Flatten it a little if needed.

Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella on top. Cover loosely with foil and pop it in the oven for 20 minutes.

Take off the foil and let it go another 10. The top should be bubbling, slightly browned, and entirely irresistible.

Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Not because you’re fancy – because you’ll burn your mouth if you don’t.

Serving

Scoop into bowls or plates. Messy is fine. Sprinkle it with basil if you want.

Pairs with:

  • Garlicky bread
  • Salad with something crisp
  • A night off from thinking too much

Nutritional Value Per One Serving

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 540
  • Total Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 49g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g
  • Sugars: 5g
  • Protein: 21g

Tips and Variations

This dish likes company. You can twist it however you like, and it’ll still hold up.

  • Meat it up: Add cooked beef, sausage, or chopped rotisserie chicken
  • Veg it out: Stir in spinach, sliced mushrooms, or roasted zucchini
  • Kick it: Add chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mix

It also keeps well in the fridge, and the leftovers may be even better the next day.

Conclusion

Some recipes work so well, they slide into your routine without asking. This baked cheese tortellini recipe checks every box – fast, filling, and hits all the right textures without overcomplicating your life. You’ll make it once and wonder why you ever made anything else.