My college roommate showed me this recipe for busy weeknights. It’s so creamy and ready in minutes with just 3 ingredients.
This 3-Ingredient Cheesy Tortellini Bake is the perfect “emergency dinner” for nights when you’re tired but still want something that tastes like a homemade Italian meal. Using refrigerated tortellini means you can skip boiling the pasta—the tortellini cooks directly in the marinara sauce while covered in the oven, soaking up all that rich tomato flavor. The result is soft, tender pasta covered in a thick layer of melted cheese that feels just as comforting as a classic lasagna.
3-Ingredient Cheesy Tortellini Bake
Ingredients:
- 1 (20–24 oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
How to Make 3-Ingredient Cheesy Tortellini Bake
Step 1: Prepare the oven and dish
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch ceramic baking dish.
Tip: Ceramic dishes hold heat well, which helps keep the pasta warm when serving.
Step 2: Combine ingredients
Pour the marinara sauce into the baking dish. Add the refrigerated tortellini and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir gently until all the pasta is coated with sauce.
Note: There’s no need to boil the tortellini first—the sauce will cook it perfectly in the oven.
Step 3: Add the cheese topping
Spread the mixture evenly in the dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella over the top.
Step 4: Bake covered
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
Tip: The foil traps steam from the sauce, which helps cook the tortellini.
Step 5: Finish baking
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the cheese on top is melted with light golden spots.
Step 6: Let it rest
Allow the bake to sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the sauce thicken so it coats the tortellini instead of pooling on the plate. 🍽️
