Baked Cheese Tortellini Casserole

The first time I read this recipe, I had my doubts. Alfredo sauce and Spaghetti sauce blended together – really? I like them both, although with cheese filled pastas and seafood filled pastas, I’ve always been partial to a light, creamy sauce such as an Alfredo over the robust, tomato-based Spaghetti sauce. It never occurred to me to marry the two together in one dish. Oh my stars, what a great combination!

This dish is super easy to make – just a little blending of bottled sauces and par-boiling of the pasta. Put the two together, top with cheese and pop it in the oven. That’s it. While the casserole is baking, toss a salad, warm some bread and it’s suppertime!

I used tri-color pasta from Pacific Coast, further lifting the flavors and textures of this dish, but any cheese pasta will do. Mine came from the refrigerated section, not the frozen kind. It you are feeling ambitious, you could always make your own. I know, some people claim there is no flavor differences between the colors. Green is made with spinach, red with tomatoes. The differences are subtle, but detectable.

Baked Cheese Tortellini Casserole
2 bags packaged cheese tortellini
1 jar spaghetti sauce without meat
1 jar Alfredo
4 small cloves garlic
1/4 Cup Parsley flakes
salt to taste
pepper to taste
2 Cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside until ready to use.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

As the water comes to a boil, peel garlic cloves and place them whole in the bottom of a blender. Add both sauces, top with parsley. Blend until smooth.

Pour blended sauce into a large mixing bowl, set aside until ready to use.

Cook tortellini in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain well. Add tortellini to bowl with the sauce. Gently fold tortellini into the sauce.

Pour tortellini and all the sauce into the prepared casserole dish, spread out evenly.

Spread mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole.

Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until heated through and the cheese has formed a nice brown crust over everything.

Serve with garlic bread on the side.

Happy dining!

Author: Rosemarie's Kitchen

I'm a wife, mother, grandmother and avid home cook.I believe in eating healthy whenever possible, while still managing to indulge in life's pleasures. View all posts by Rosemarie's Kitchen