Description
A hearty fusion of classic pizza toppings with tender tortellini, creating the ultimate comfort food for meat lovers. This cheesy, saucy casserole combines the best of Italian cuisine in one satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 pound (225 g) Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 6 strips)
- 1 cup pepperoni slices, halved
- 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Optional Garnishes
- Sliced black olives
- Diced green bell peppers
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a large casserole dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook the Tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions until they’re just al dente. Be careful not to overcook as they’ll continue cooking in the oven. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the marinara or pizza sauce with the cooked Italian sausage, crumbled bacon, and half of the pepperoni. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This prevents the tortellini from sticking. Add the cooked tortellini to the dish, then pour the remaining sauce mixture over the top, ensuring all pasta is evenly coated. Gently toss if needed for complete coverage.
- Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the entire dish. Arrange the remaining pepperoni slices on top to create that classic pizza appearance and ensure a flavorful top layer.
- Bake: Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from burning and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and developing light golden spots.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced black olives, diced bell peppers, or fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot with garlic bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, try using a variety of Italian sausages like sweet, spicy, or fennel.
- This dish can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- If using frozen tortellini, you don’t need to thaw them first, just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1275mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg