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This Easy Cheesy Baked Tortellini is simple and delicious too. Tortellini, bacon, cheese, basil, & spinach fill this recipe and make it irresistible and perfect for dinner any night.
There’s something about putting pastas in a casserole dish and baking it, whether it’s this baked tortellini, baked spaghetti, or a chicken alfredo bake, it’s always a winner in our house.
extra Cheesy Goodness
Who here loves an easy dinner recipe? We are all about them and have realized that pasta recipes are the kids’ favorites. Today’s recipe is a Cheesy Baked Tortellini that the whole family enjoyed.
We’ve always loved Tortellini and have used it in so many recipes here on the site (including our Italian Tortellini Soup and Tortellini Salad).
We knew we’d love this recipe considering that it’s covered in cheese, bacon and spinach. And because the tortellini is already filled with cheese, it’s kind of a no-brainer to love this double-cheesy baked tortellini goodness.
Make and bake
We’ve already established the fact that Cheese Tortellini on it’s own is delicious, and turning it into an even cheesier, more delicious dinner idea is going to earn you major kudos with the family. Here is how you make baked tortellini casserole.
TORTELLINI. Cooking tortellini as directed on the package.
SAUCE. Cook bacon and cut up. Reserve bacon fat from pan. Add garlic and cook for a minute or two. Add flour to the pan and whisk for a minute, then add milk and mix until smooth. Lastly, add salt, pepper, lemon juice and basil and bring to a simmer.
COMBINE. Drain tortellini and add back to the pot. Turn to low heat and add spinach and most of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheeses and bacon. Add sauce and stir until well combined.
BAKE. Add to an 8×8 or 9×9 dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and bacon. Cover your dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
What can I use instead of bacon? If you’re not a fan of bacon you can substitute it with another meat such as ham, pepperoni, italian sausage, chicken, turkey bacon, sauteed shrimp. Also, the recipe calls for saving the bacon grease. Since you will not have bacon grease to use when sauteing the garlic use 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil.
Make it ahead!
As if this recipe wasn’t already amazing, the fact that it’s a perfect make ahead meal is even better! Just follow the recipe steps up until it’s time to bake. Cover with with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for 1-2 days then bake. To freeze: Cover with plastic and again with aluminum foil. Label and freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake.
We really hope you love this cheesy, flavorful baked tortellini. We know you can buy tortellini with meat inside, so we think we’re going to try that next time. Either way, it’s a keeper recipe for sure. 😉
For more Cheese Tortellini recipes:
- Italian Tortellini Soup
- Tomato Tortellini Soup
- Spinach And Tortellini Salad
- Steak And Tortellini Salad
Cheesy Baked Tortellini recipe
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz. cheese tortellini package (or any kind of tortellini)
- 4 bacon strips
- 3 tsp. minced garlic
- 2 TB all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 3/4 tsp salt
- pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 cups frozen spinach, chopped
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese grated
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add tortellini and cook as directed on the package.
- Cook bacon and cut up. Reserve bacon fat from pan. Add garlic and cook for a minute or two. Add flour to the pan and whisk for a minute. Add milk and mix until smooth. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice and basil and bring to a simmer.
- Drain tortellini and add back to the pot. Turn to low heat and add spinach and most of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheeses and bacon. Add sauce and stir until well combined.
- Add to an 8×8 or 9×9 dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and bacon.
- Cover your dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I saw this on Facebook and decided to make it for dinner tonight. It is VERY good! My daughter who doesn’t even like tortellini even likes it. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us 🙂
Pinned! Thanks for the awesome recipe 😉
I made your recipe today with some tweaks. I added 1 yellow onion, diced. Also, I cubed 1 lb of kielbasa sausage and pan fried it. Didn’t have any basil, parrmesan or lemon. Added extra spinach. I also used 1 bunch of diced fresh green onions to top it. I used 2% milk. My husband absolutely LOVED this dish. I asked him on a scale of 1 to 10, what would he give this dish? He said a 20! He sais this is the best pasta dish I’ve made so far. Oh, I mixed in mozzarella cheese into the sauce as well as topped the casserole with cheese, so it was pretty rich in cheese.
He scarfed this dish down quickly and got seconds. The dish is a rich,, heavy dish and definitely a remake. Maybe next time I will use a different green like kale or swiss chard. I like your addition of lemon as that probably cuts some of the richness some. I also might try a pesto tortillini instead next time.
Thanks for sharing this recipe with the world.
I love adding spinach to pasta dishes! This is a perfect quick and easy weeknight meal!
Thanks for the yummy recipes mom!!
I’ll be sure to tell her! 😉
I HATE bacon! Do you think it will effect it much if I don’t cook the bacon (so no bacon grease)?
I really don’t think it will effect it that much at all. Let me know if you try it out without bacon so I can make a note in the recipe for others who don’t want to include it. 🙂
I love bacon and I didn’t care for it in this dish. I am making it again for my younger daughter when she gets home from Navy training next week without the bacon. I will let you know, but I’m sure it will still be delish!
I don’t like bacon. I use turkey Canadian bacon or turkey ham, and cut it in small pieces.. May need some pan pan spray.
I’m always taking pictures of my mom’s food too! Glad to hear someone else is doing it also! Looks fab once again 🙂
My mom makes the best stuff, so I’d be silly if I didn’t take pictures!! Glad I’m not the only one. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Julie!! XO
Super delicious!! I love adding spinach to pasta dishes. It gives it color and great nutition! Can’t wait to try this! Thanks so much for the recipe!!
You’re welcome, Crystal! Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!
This looks incredible. I have actually never had tortellini before, I’m going to pin this recipe to try later!
Tortellini is SO good!! Would love to know what you think of it once you’ve tried it. 🙂