When you’re exhausted and you need some comfort food, this easy oven baked garlic butter tortellini is the ultimate comfort food. It has all the flavors you’d expect from a nice Italian restaurant but none of the hassle. You’ll get tender pasta pillows smothered in butter and a delicious cheesy crust.
This recipe is a life saver since it only calls for four simple ingredients that you can keep on hand at all times. It takes a box of store bought pasta and turns it into a crispy, bubbly, sheet pan meal. It’s easy, it’s quick and it will definitely become a regular part of your weeknight routine.
Whether you’re feeding your kids or enjoying a night in, this easy bake always hits the spot. Simply mix the pasta and spread on a sheet pan and let the oven do the rest. You will love how easy it is to make this comforting meal.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
What I love most about this easy dinner recipe is the way the oven changes the texture of the soft tortellini. When the pasta is baked at a high temperature, it gets a little crispy around the edges. The butter and parmesan melt to form a delicious, golden, slightly chewy crust on top. This gives the pasta the perfect contrast of a crispy, cheesy outside and a soft, gooey inside.
Another great thing about this recipe is how easy it is to clean up. The whole meal bakes on a sheet pan that’s lined with foil, so you don’t have to wash a casserole dish or greased baking pan. You just throw out the foil after dinner and have more time to relax and enjoy your evening.
The Ingredients
Gather these four simple, comforting ingredients to make your new favorite sheet pan dinner:
Refrigerated Cheese Tortellini
The best way to make this dish is with fresh, refrigerated cheese tortellini, which gives you a soft, pillowy texture when cooked. Cook the tortellini until they just start to float, then take them out of the boiling water before they’re fully done so they don’t turn mushy as they soak up the butter in the oven. If you only have frozen tortellini, it will work just fine, just be sure to cook them for an extra minute or two before draining.
Unsalted Butter
One whole stick of butter provides a luxurious amount of fat that will cling to each and every noodle. By melting it in a pan with the garlic, you can get those delicious savory notes to penetrate the butter and provide an incredible depth of flavor. If all you have is salted butter, just skip adding any additional salt so your meal doesn’t get too salty.
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Finely grated parmesan serves two purposes in this recipe, it acts as a savory binder and crispy crust. Adding half of the parmesan to the pasta ensures it gets melted into the butter, and the rest is used as a topping that will turn perfectly brown in the oven. For a delicious cheese pull, replace half of the parmesan topping with shredded mozzarella cheese.
How to Make It
Here’s how you’ll put together this delicious, cheesy sheet pan meal:
Boil the Pasta
Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large sheet pan with aluminum foil. Bring a large pot of water to a boil with salt, then add the tortellini. Cook for two minutes less than what the box says, then strain.
Make the Garlic Butter
Melt your stick of butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for one to two minutes until it’s fragrant. Be sure to avoid letting the garlic brown.
Toss Together
Add your cooked tortellini to a large bowl, and pour the garlic butter on top. Add in half of your parmesan cheese, and toss the pasta gently until the noodles are fully coated.
Arrange the Pan
Lay the pasta out in an even layer on the foil-lined sheet pan. Don’t let the pieces overlap too much. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan over the top.
Bake and Serve
Bake the pasta for 15-20 minutes until the edges are slightly crispy and the cheese is golden brown. Let the pasta rest for about five minutes before digging in so the butter can absorb.
My Top Tips for Success
Don’t let the tortellini get too soft when boiling. Since it’ll be in the oven for 20 more minutes, the pasta should still be a little bit al dente so it doesn’t completely fall apart in the sheet pan.
Make sure you give the tortellini a thorough shake when draining it, so the noodles aren’t soaking wet. The excess water will dilute the butter sauce and keep the cheese from sticking properly.
For anyone who loves a seriously crunchy and well-browned cheese crust on their pasta bake, turn the broiler on for the last 2 minutes of cooking time. However, be sure to watch the sheet pan closely since the parmesan could easily burn and become bitter.
Oven Baked Garlic Butter Tortellini Recipe
Equipment
- Large baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Small saucepan
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound cheese tortellini refrigerated
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 4 cloves garlic large, minced
- 1 cup parmesan cheese grated and divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with foil. Spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.
- Boil a pot of salted water according to package directions for the tortellini, but remove the pasta from the water 2-3 minutes before the suggested time (when the tortellini just begins to float).
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. The garlic should become aromatic but not brown.
- Toss the tortellini with the garlic butter and half of the grated parmesan in a large bowl. Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining grated parmesan over the tortellini.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the tortellini is lightly browned at the edges and the parmesan cheese is melted and browned.
- Allow the baked tortellini to sit on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Storage and Reheating
- Store any leftovers of baked tortellini in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Do not freeze this recipe as the crispy parmesan will become soggy and the tortellini could become mushy when it thaws.
- Reheat individual servings of the crispy baked tortellini in an air fryer or a 350°F oven for a couple of minutes to get that crispy texture back again without having it become too mushy.
What to Serve it With
- Serve alongside a light salad with a lemon vinaigrette dressing.
- Pair it with a bowl of warm marinara sauce for dipping the crispy baked tortellini.
- Enjoy with steamed or roasted broccoli florets or asparagus spears.
- Serve as a hearty side dish alongside a roasted chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes, you can use garlic powder if you don’t have any fresh cloves. Simply whisk 1 tsp of garlic powder into the melted butter while it’s still warm, then toss with the cooked pasta.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cooked tortellini with the garlic butter and half the grated parmesan up to 4 hours ahead of time. Just leave the pasta in the pan in the fridge and sprinkle on the remaining cheese right before it goes in the oven to bake.
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