Sausage Pesto Tortellini Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Sausage Pesto Tortellini Casserole is a comforting, flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Combining creamy pesto, savory sausages, and melted mozzarella, it’s a crowd-pleaser that comes together quickly and easily.

Ingredients

• 1 package three cheese tortellini (1 lb)
• 7 oz pesto
• 3 sweet chicken sausages (or pork sausages)
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 20 oz mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the tortellini and cook for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions (usually 5-7 minutes).
3. Step 3: Drain the tortellini and return it to the pot. Stir in the pesto gently until well combined.
4. Step 4: While the tortellini cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
5. Step 5: Slice the sausages and add them to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned. Remove from heat.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked sausages, grape tomatoes, spinach, and 19 ounces of mozzarella cheese to the pot with the tortellini. Stir gently to combine, being careful not to crush the tomatoes or tortellini.
7. Step 7: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a 9-inch casserole dish. Transfer the tortellini mixture into the dish, then sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top.
8. Step 8: Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese on top is golden and lightly browned.
9. Step 9: Remove from the oven, serve warm, and enjoy your delicious casserole.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute sweet chicken sausages with spicy Italian sausage for a bolder flavor.
• Add a handful of pine nuts or walnuts for added crunch and texture.
• Use sun-dried tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes for a richer taste.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add mushrooms or artichoke hearts.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen tortellini for this recipe?

Yes, frozen tortellini works well. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions, usually a minute or two longer than fresh tortellini.

What type of pesto works best?

Basil pesto is traditional and pairs beautifully with this casserole, but you can also experiment with sun-dried tomato pesto or spinach pesto for different flavors.

Sausage Pesto Tortellini Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 125 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Sausage Pesto Tortellini Casserole is a comforting and flavorful baked pasta dish combining cheesy tortellini, savory sausage, fresh spinach, and grape tomatoes all topped with melted mozzarella. It’s perfect for a family dinner and comes together in just 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Tortellini and Sauce

• 1 package three cheese tortellini (1 lb)
• 7 oz pesto
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

For the Sausage and Vegetables

• 3 sweet chicken sausages (or pork sausages)
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup grape tomatoes

For the Cheese Topping

• 20 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
2. Cook the tortellini: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions, usually 5-7 minutes, but be sure to cook 1-2 minutes less than recommended for a firmer texture. Drain the tortellini and return it to the pot. Stir in the pesto gently until evenly coated.
3. Preheat a skillet: While the tortellini cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
4. Cook the sausages: Slice the sausages into bite-sized pieces and add them to the hot skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until the sausages are nicely browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Combine ingredients: Add the browned sausages, grape tomatoes, fresh spinach, and most of the shredded mozzarella (reserve about 1 cup for topping) to the pot with the tortellini. Stir gently to combine, being careful not to crush the tomatoes or tortellini.
6. Prepare the casserole dish and bake: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a 9-inch casserole dish and spread it evenly. Transfer the tortellini mixture into the dish and top with the reserved mozzarella cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese on top is golden and lightly browned.
7. Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy your flavorful sausage pesto tortellini casserole!

Notes

• Cooking tortellini slightly under al dente ensures it does not overcook during baking.
• You can substitute sweet chicken sausages with pork sausages or any preferred sausage variety.
• Reserve some mozzarella cheese to create a golden, melty topping.
• Use fresh spinach and grape tomatoes for vibrant color and freshness in the dish.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: sausage pesto casserole, tortellini bake, easy baked pasta, cheesy tortellini, sausage pasta casserole