Sausage Pesto Tortellini Casserole

I am here to tell you that with just 6 ingredients and a few minutes of prep, you can have a dinner so good it will transport you to Italy from the first bite. This Sausage Pesto Tortellini Casserole is so simple, yet so flavorful. You see, oftentimes good food is about simplicity. The best part is that I can have this comforting and hearty meal on the table in just 30-40 minutes!

The whole dish is coated in pesto sauce and generously topped with cheese. Bursting with Italian flavors, this dish is a delicious combination of simple, high-quality ingredients that come together to create something exquisite. I rely a lot on casseroles when cooking for my family. Among our favorites are this chicken and rice casserole and bacon, ranch, and cheese baked ziti.

With just six ingredients, this flavorful casserole can be on your table in about 40 minutes. The cheesy tortellini, filled with Romano, Parmesan, and ricotta cheeses, are combined with sweet chicken sausage, fresh spinach, and juicy tomatoes. This easy recipe also makes a great freezer meal. Since the preparation is quick and easy, I usually make two and freeze one for later. Another great thing about this meal is that it’s made with affordable, easy-to-find ingredients. A foolproof recipe that anyone can make.

Why you will love this recipe

• Cooked in 30 minutes: A perfect, hearty, satisfying family dinner with so many vibrant colors, textures, and flavors.
• Just a handful of ingredients: Chicken sausage, pesto, tortellini, spinach, tomatoes, and cheese. It does not get any easier than this.
• Easy instructions: This is such an easy casserole recipe that it can be made in 30 minutes, quicker and easier than getting delivery.
• Stay home and save money: This budget-friendly meal is hearty and easily feeds a family of six.

What you will need

• Three-cheese tortellini – This egg pasta is filled with ricotta, parmesan, and romano cheeses for a perfect blend of savory and a little hint of sweetness.
• Pesto – Use my easy recipe for homemade pesto with just a few ingredients, including basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and parmesan, or buy some from the store for a garlicky, nutty flavor boost.
• Sweet chicken sausages – Adds a scrumptious taste of sweet chicken flavored with fennel and anise, with an aroma that will make your mouth water.
• Fresh ingredients – I like to use organic baby spinach for its slightly sweet, grassy flavor and tender stems that seem to melt when cooked. Also, tiny, juicy tomatoes are perfect for cooking because they do not have to be cut, so the juices can remain inside where they belong.
• Shredded mozzarella cheese—This mildly sweet cheese is perfect for this dish. Be sure to shred your own from a fresh brick of cheese just before using it.
• Olive oil – Use a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for a light texture and mild flavor.

How to prepare

Preheat the oven and prepare the dish: I preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a nine-inch casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Boil the tortellini: Now, I add water to a large pot over medium-high heat. When the water starts boiling, I cook the tortellini for 2 minutes less than the package recommends. Then, I drain and return it to the pot, pour in the pesto, and stir it gently to combine.

Brown the sausages: After, I add two tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. I slice the sausages and cook them in the hot skillet for three minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to brown. Then, I remove the skillet from the heat.

Bake the casserole: I put the sausages, spinach, tomatoes, and all but 1 cup of cheese into the pot with the tortellini, then stir gently. Pour it into the prepared casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese before baking for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top looks golden brown.

Rest and serve: I let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Expert tip

Finding the best tortellini

Fresh or frozen, homemade or store-bought? Because this is a casserole meant to be a quick, easy meal, I chose to use frozen, store-bought three-cheese tortellini. However, there are many other choices. One of my favorite fresh tortellini is Trader Giotto’s Cheese Tortellini. It is packed with creamy, flavorful cheese, and the pasta is toothsome. The best refrigerated one was Rana Cheese Lovers’ Tortelloni, which is larger but so delicious that no sauce is needed. The DeLallo Three-Cheese Tortellini Pasta with durum wheat semolina is pretty incredible, too.

More tips to consider

• Using only store-bought ingredients, this meal takes less than 30 minutes to cook. But you can make the pesto from scratch for a better flavor and a more homemade feel.
• Be sure to take the tortellini out two minutes before it is supposed to be finished boiling, or they will end up soggy. They will finish cooking in the oven.
• Do not overcook the sausage either. It will come out dry and chewy if it’s cooked too much before going in the oven.
• Remember, it should read 150°F when it comes out of the oven. It will finish cooking to 165 degrees as it rests.
• If the pesto is bitter, it could be from old olive oil, bad basil, or old nuts. Use sugar, salt, or vinegar to fix the flavor.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Different meat: I sometimes use pork or beef sausage instead of chicken for different flavors, and they are both like totally different meals, each exquisite in its own way.
• Thanksgiving pesto casserole: Use turkey sausage, add cranberries, and toss in some sweet potatoes for a Thanksgiving theme.
• Crack pesto tortellini casserole: To make this completely irresistible, add crunchy bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning.
• Alfredo style: Add a half cup of my creamy Alfredo sauce to make this a dreamy, creamy casserole the kids will ask for again and again.
• Spice it up: Toss in some chopped jalapenos, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes for spicy food lovers.
• Add some veggies: Make it even heartier with some broccoli, carrots, corn, green beans, mushrooms, and chopped bell peppers.
• Vegetarian: Skip the meat and add in more veggies!

Serving suggestions:

This cozy dinner is a family favorite in our house, and since it’s so easy to make, I usually plan ahead and have a few other goodies to go with it. Like a side of my homemade breadsticks that I can make in advance, and we use to soak up the extra-cheesy sauce. Also, homemade marinara sauce is another nice touch, and my kids love to spoon it over the casserole with some parmesan cheese.

To have something light and refreshing, I add my sweet-and-savory strawberry spinach salad with diced avocado, spinach, and radish rounds. If it’s Friday night, I go ahead and open a bottle of Primitivo, Fer Servadou, or Chianti Classico. Serving this for date night? For dessert, make it special with this strawberry tiramisu. This no-bake dessert is so stunning, and it can also be prepared a day or two in advance.

How to store:

• Refrigerate: Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to four days. 
• Freezing: Place leftovers in a freezer-safe baggie or container to keep them in the freezer for up to three months. 
• Defrost: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor.
• Reheating: You can reheat leftovers in the oven at 375°F for 15 minutes or in the microwave for 2 minutes. 

Frequently asked questions

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