Garlic Butter Tortellini Bake 🧄🧈🧀
A cozy, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring tender tortellini tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, creamy cheese, and baked until golden and bubbly. It’s an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Tortellini Bake
- 24 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini (or frozen tortellini)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Topping
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Extra melted butter drizzle (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Tortellini
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook tortellini according to package directions until just tender.
- Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Garlic Butter Cream Sauce
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- Add cream, broth, and cream cheese.
- Simmer gently until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until melted.
- Season with salt and pepper.
3. Assemble the Bake
- Add cooked tortellini and spinach to the sauce.
- Toss until evenly coated.
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
4. Bake
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until golden, bubbling, and heated through.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Add-In Ideas
🍗 Chicken Garlic Butter Tortellini Bake
Add:
- 2 cups cooked shredded or diced chicken
🥓 Bacon Spinach Version
Add:
- 1 cup crispy bacon pieces
🍄 Mushroom Garlic Tortellini
Add:
- 2 cups sautéed mushrooms
🌶️ Spicy Version
Add:
- Extra red pepper flakes
- Italian sausage
- Hot peppers
🥦 Vegetable Version
Add:
- Broccoli
- Zucchini
- Bell peppers
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Tomato basil soup
- Fresh green salad
Storage
Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes or microwave individual portions.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 620
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fat: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
Tips for the Best Tortellini Bake
🧄 Sauté garlic gently—burned garlic can turn bitter.
🧀 Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly.
🍝 Don’t overcook tortellini before baking; it will continue cooking in the oven.
🥛 Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to bring back the creamy texture.
This Garlic Butter Tortellini Bake is rich, creamy, cheesy, and packed with comforting garlic-butter flavor—a perfect family dinner or cozy weekend meal. 🧄🧈🍝