Andy Montoya
Cheese tortellini is a versatile dish that can be used in a variety of recipes. It is a type of ring-shaped stuffed pasta that originated in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and is traditionally filled with cheese, though meat-filled tortellini is also available for a heartier option. Cheese tortellini can be used in bakes, casseroles, and pasta dishes such as Alfredo or served with a simple marinara sauce. With its rich flavour and tender texture, it is a popular choice for home cooks as it is quick to prepare, customisable, and comforting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Casserole, Bake, Pasta |
| Main Ingredient | Cheese Tortellini |
| Other Ingredients | Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Beef, Spinach, Onions, Peppers, Tomatoes, Basil, Oregano, Italian Seasoning, Butter, Nutmeg, Marinara Sauce, Garlic, Parsley |
| Preparation Method | Boil, Bake, Broil, Toss, Spread, Sprinkle, Melt, Brown, Drain, Combine |
| Cooking Time | 8-10 minutes |
| Cooking Temperature | 350°F |
| Broiling Temperature | Not specified |
| Broiling Time | 2 minutes |
| Serving Temperature | Hot |
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What You'll Learn
Tortellini bake with mozzarella, parmesan and Romano cheese
Tortellini Bake with Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano Cheese
Ingredients
- Cheese tortellini (fresh, dried, or frozen)
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded or grated)
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Romano cheese (grated)
- Spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce
- Butter
- Beef (optional)
- Onion (optional)
- Peppers (optional)
- Garlic (optional)
- Tomatoes (optional)
- Basil (optional)
- Oregano (optional)
- Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- If using frozen tortellini, pour it into a colander and run under warm water for a minute to slightly thaw it, then drain. If using dried tortellini, cook according to the package instructions until al dente. If using fresh tortellini, there is no need to thaw or cook beforehand.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain the tortellini.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the cooked tortellini with your chosen sauce (spaghetti or marinara) and mix until evenly coated.
- Transfer the sauced tortellini to a greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded or grated mozzarella cheese generously over the top, followed by grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses.
- Place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.
- For an extra golden and crispy top, switch your oven to broil during the last 2 minutes of baking. Keep a close eye on it to ensure the cheese becomes lightly browned without burning.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your cheesy tortellini bake!
Optional Add-Ins
You can customize your tortellini bake with various add-ins:
- Meat: Brown some ground beef in a skillet with butter, garlic, and your choice of vegetables such as onions and peppers. Drain the fat, then add tomatoes, basil, oregano, and Italian seasoning. Stir until combined, then add this mixture to the baking dish before topping with cheese.
- Vegetables: Sauté your choice of vegetables in a skillet before adding them to the baking dish.
- Spices: Season the meat or vegetable mixture with garlic powder, dried basil, dried parsley, dried oregano, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
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Cheese tortellini Alfredo with nutmeg and black pepper
Ingredients:
- Cheese tortellini (fresh, frozen, or dry)
- Unsalted butter
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- Nutmeg
- Black pepper (freshly ground)
- Salt
- Optional: Garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, or any other vegetables of your choice
Instructions:
- Cook the cheese tortellini according to the package instructions, reducing the cooking time by a couple of minutes to achieve an al dente texture. Remember to taste the water to ensure it is adequately salted.
- Drain the tortellini and set it aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- If using garlic, add minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the heavy cream and continue stirring.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, along with a generous sprinkle of nutmeg.
- For an extra kick of flavour, you can also add Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and other seasonings of your choice.
- Whisk the mixture gently and well to combine the ingredients and create a creamy sauce.
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and mix until it melts into the sauce.
- Finally, add the cooked tortellini to the sauce and toss gently to coat the pasta evenly.
- Serve the Cheese Tortellini Alfredo immediately, garnished with an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese and parsley (optional).
Feel free to add your favourite protein, such as grilled chicken or shrimp, and steamed vegetables to create a well-rounded and hearty meal. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness of this quick and easy dish!
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Three-cheese tortellini bake with beef and vegetables
To make this delicious bake, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (or 375°F if you prefer a hotter oven). In a large skillet, melt a tablespoon of butter and add ground beef. Cook the beef until it is browned, then add in your desired vegetables, such as onions, peppers, and garlic. Continue cooking until the vegetables are tender. You can also add in some finely grated zucchini or other vegetables of your choice to boost the vitamin intake of your dish.
Once the beef and vegetables are cooked, drain the excess fat and add in your tomatoes, soup, basil, oregano, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until well combined. At this point, you can also add in some baby spinach if you wish. Now, it's time to assemble the casserole. Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to a lightly greased baking dish.
Next, it's time to add the cheese tortellini. You can use either frozen or refrigerated tortellini for this recipe. If using frozen tortellini, run them under warm water for a minute to slightly thaw before adding them to the baking dish. Layer the tortellini with the meat sauce, adding a layer of cheese in between each layer. Top the final layer with the remaining grated mozzarella and sprinkle with grated parmesan.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly. For an extra touch of golden colour, you can switch your oven to broil during the last 2 minutes of baking. Keep a close eye on it to ensure the cheese doesn't burn.
Your three-cheese tortellini bake with beef and vegetables is now ready to be served! This dish is best enjoyed hot and can be paired with bread on the side. Enjoy the comforting and delicious flavours of this easy-to-make casserole that's sure to please the whole family.
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Cheesy Italian tortellini with marinara sauce
Ingredients
- Cheese tortellini
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Parsley (optional)
- Salt
- Butter
- Beef
- Onions
- Peppers
- Garlic
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Oregano
- Italian seasoning
Method
First, cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the tortellini until it is al dente. Drain the tortellini and set it aside.
In a separate pan, melt a tablespoon of butter and brown the beef. Add the onions, peppers, and garlic to the pan and cook until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender. Drain the fat from the pan.
Next, add the tomatoes, basil, oregano, and Italian seasoning to the pan and stir until combined. You can also add in other seasonings like garlic powder, dried basil, parsley, thyme, and red pepper flakes to taste.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked tortellini with the marinara sauce until the tortellini is evenly coated. Transfer the saucy tortellini to a baking dish.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top of the tortellini, followed by grated parmesan cheese. You can also add in some cream cheese for extra richness.
Bake the tortellini in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For an extra golden top, switch the oven to broil during the last 2 minutes of baking, keeping a close eye on it to avoid burning.
Remove the tortellini from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve with bread. Enjoy!
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Tortellini with garlicky Alfredo sauce
Ingredients:
- Cheese tortellini (fresh or refrigerated)
- Butter
- Garlic (finely minced or minced)
- Heavy cream or milk (for a lighter option)
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Parsley (optional)
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. You can add salt to the water for flavour. Once the water is boiling, add the tortellini and cook according to the package instructions. Fresh tortellini usually takes around 3 minutes to cook.
While the tortellini is cooking, prepare the garlicky Alfredo sauce. Melt butter in a medium-sized skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic to the melted butter and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic becomes fragrant. This should take around 1 minute.
Next, add the heavy cream or milk to the garlic and butter mixture. Stir continuously while adding the cream or milk. To make the sauce extra creamy and rich, opt for heavy cream or use milk with a higher fat content.
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add Italian seasoning for extra flavour. If you like your food spicy, throw in some red pepper flakes. Continue stirring the sauce until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency, reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked tortellini to the sauce and gently toss to combine. Make sure each tortellini is coated evenly with the garlicky Alfredo sauce.
Finally, serve the tortellini with a garnish of chopped parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top. You can also add some cracked black pepper for an extra kick.
Tips and Variations:
- For an even richer flavour, shred your own block of Parmesan cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese.
- If you want to include some vegetables, add broccoli florets, peas, mushrooms, or spinach to the sauce. You can also serve the tortellini with a side of steamed vegetables.
- If you prefer your sauce to be thinner, add more milk or pasta water to the Alfredo sauce.
- To make it extra cheesy, use three-cheese tortellini or add shredded mozzarella cheese on top before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
A quick and easy recipe for cheese tortellini is a tortellini bake. Boil the tortellini, toss it with your choice of sauce, and transfer it to a baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top and bake for 8-10 minutes.
A traditional tomato-based marinara sauce is a good option for a tortellini bake. You can also experiment with other sauces like a garlic-heavy or spicy variety.
Mozzarella and parmesan are good choices for a tortellini bake as they melt well and provide a salty, nutty finish. You can also add romano cheese for extra flavour.
You can add proteins such as ground beef or turkey, and vegetables like onions, peppers, and mushrooms to make a cheese tortellini bake more hearty and flavourful.
An alternative recipe is cheese tortellini Alfredo. To make this, cook the tortellini in salted water, drain it, and then combine it with butter, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, and black pepper.
