This baked spinach tortellini is the kind of dinner that feels like a little extra comfort without requiring much extra effort. Cheesy tortellini gets tossed in a simple tomato sauce with plenty of spinach, topped with melted mozzarella, and baked until hot and bubbly.
It’s easy, cozy, and perfect for those nights when you want something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen. Not to mention, you can even toss in some extra veggies to make it a little more filling.
Ingredients
- 1 (21.1 ounce) bag frozen tortellini
- 2 (28 ounce) cans chopped tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Step 1: Cook the Tortellini
First, preheat your oven to 365°F. While the oven is heating, cook the frozen tortellini according to the package directions. There’s one small trick here, though: cook it for about 1 minute less than the recommended time. The tortellini will continue cooking in the oven, so you don’t want it completely cooked just yet. Once it’s ready, drain the tortellini well and set it aside.
Step 2: Make the Tomato Sauce
Next, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine the ingredients. Then, reduce the heat and let the sauce gently simmer for about 10 minutes. This gives the tomatoes time to soften and allows all those flavors to come together. Once the sauce has finished simmering, turn off the heat. Immediately stir in the fresh spinach and let the warmth from the sauce wilt the leaves.
Step 3: Combine the Tortellini and Sauce
Gently add the cooked tortellini to the tomato sauce and carefully stir until the pasta is coated. Take your time with this step. Tortellini is delicate and you don’t want to accidentally break it apart. Once everything is nicely combined, transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it out into an even layer. Next, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Then, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Now you’re ready to get the tortellini into the oven. Bake, covered, for 35 minutes. After that, carefully remove the foil and return the dish to the oven for another 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is completely melted, bubbling, and starting to turn a little golden brown on top.
Step 5: Let It Rest and Serve
Once the baked tortellini comes out of the oven, let it rest for about 3-5 minutes before serving. This gives everything a chance to settle while the sauce thickens slightly. Finally, serve it warm with some extra roasted or sautéed vegetables and a side of garlic bread.
And if you’re in the mood for a little extra indulgence, go ahead and sprinkle some more cheese over the top. You can never have too much cheese, right?
Click here for more healthy, delicious recipes!
About The Author
